As oceans warm, habitats change, and animals migrate, the Arctic Biome will soon look different from the collective understanding of the region. Climatological definitions of the Arctic are a dynamic and unstable way to view this region. To grade-school me, the “Arctic” was synonymous with the habitat of the polar bear. I think the two climatological definitions offered by the textbook are as valid and as concrete as the polar bear definition. The 66° 32 minutes north polar circle offers the most functional definition——with the caveat that climates resembling our definition of the Arctic fall outside of it. This definition is ultimately in pursuit of promoting international cooperation and is constructed to that end.
No one theory of international relations will be able to explain 100% of reality. Liberalism is particularly insufficient in the Arctic context. There are several historical instances where the Liberal Theory of international relations would have predicted a particular outcome, and in each it was wrong. The chapter asserts that the Cold War marked the end of the 20th century dream of economic cooperation in the north, as the two regional superpowers, despite their proximity, acted as strategic competitors. Liberalism considers cooperation, not conflict, as the default mode of international actors, and therefore would not predict the conditions under the Cold War. Another instance was Russia’s escalation of conflict in 2022. The 2022 escalation occurred outside the region, and within the region Russia was behaving in accordance with international norms. Still, the Arctic Council ceased cooperation with Russia, throwing into question its relevance as an international institution. The Arctic Council could be considered an extreme manifestation of Liberalism, as it places greater emphasis on inclusion of non-state actors than other international bodies, and exists to promote cooperation of states to their mutual advantage. It’s effective fall in May of 2023 represents a failure of Liberalism as these Arctic Nations choose to cease cooperative efforts with Russia while not in direct conflict with the nation.