The two nations I have decided to compare Arctic policies for are the Russian Federation and Norway. I chose this particular comparison because they both have some similarities, such as being part of the Arctic 5 and are located geographically close. They also have a few fundamental differences which explain their varying approaches to Arctic policy.
The Russian Federation’s Arctic policy is characterized by a strong focus on infrastructure. This includes developing energy, transport, and economic infrastructure as well as tackling issues of housing, education, and food supply. There is also significant focus on the development of the Russian continental shelf for resources as well as sea routes as transport corridors. There is very little focus in Russia’s Arctic policy on cooperation with other states or sharing or development of research. This Arctic policy makes sense for Russia for many reasons. For one, the Russian Arctic faces significant barriers to development in the form of distance and remoteness as well as a loss of Soviet-era infrastructure. It also is a state with a huge Arctic landmass and influence, meaning it does not have to focus as much on other members as it does on itself. The importance of the northern sea route and maritime policy for Russia is dictated by the retreat of sea ice and position of Russia as a large littoral Arctic state.
Norway’s Arctic policy mentions infrastructure but has other important pillars. Among these are international cooperation, knowledge development, and environmental protection. This focus on fostering cooperation and developing Arctic research speaks to Norway’s status as a constructive state in the Arctic Council. Norway has a long history of developing research, hosting the Arctic Council, and serving as a mediator in Arctic relations such as between Russia and the rest of the Council. In fact, much of Norway’s value as a member stems from these roles. Norway hosts the Council’s headquarters and funds a large percentage of the Council’s work and general high-latitude research. By playing this role, Norway has influence in the Arctic Council that is disproportional to its smaller physical size. Norway, like Russia is a littoral Arctic state and also mentions development of the continental shelf and maritime resources.