Causal Factors of Peace in the Antarctic

• Main Author: Lord, Tom
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: English
• Published: University of Canterbury 2017
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10092/13817

The prevalence of peace in the Antarctic is a significantly under-researched field. It is often either dismissed as being due to the isolation of the continent in the international system, or simply hailed as a success of the Antarctic Treaty System. This critical review draws on Felix Martin's assertions that interstate relations alone do not account for peace in conflict-prone regions, and therefore other causal factors have to be considered. It critically examines three perspectives on causal factors for peace in the Antarctic, including states adhering to unwritten rules within the Antarctic Treaty System, structural factors of the Treaty System, and the common goals of environmental protection. It ultimately views these causal factors through the lens of Johan Galtung's conceptions of positive and negative peace, suggesting that the peace experienced by the Antarctic can be considered negative. More work must be done on building mechanisms that promote a robust and stable positive peace to ensure the continent remains free from violence in the coming years.