Resisting Autocratization in Polarized Societies: The Arctic Region Amidst Global Conflicts

In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, the Arctic region is being challenged as an exceptional zone of peace and cooperation. This new status quo is a result that can be considered as largely insulated from the broader global tensions seen in regions such as Eastern Europe and the Middle East. However, as the Russia-Ukraine war and the Hamas-Hezbollah-Lebanon-Israel conflicts intensify, questions arise about the resilience of Arctic governance structures in an increasingly polarized world. This panel will explore the theme of resisting autocracies in polarized societies through the lens of Arctic governance, juxtaposed against the backdrop of escalating conflicts elsewhere.
The Arctic has historically been governed through multilateral cooperation, exemplified by institutions like the Arctic Council, which prioritizes environmental protection and Indigenous rights over hard security issues. However, Russia's aggressive stance in Ukraine and its (re)militarization of parts of the Arctic raise concerns about whether this region can continue to resist autocratic encroachments and maintain its traditional (namely post-1991) status as a "zone of peace." Similarly, the ideological polarization seen in the Middle East, with Iran-backed groups like Hamas and Hezbollah resisting Israel’s military actions, reflects broader trends of resistance against state-centric autocratic efforts. Due to the geostrategic interests of out-of-area actors, the indirect impact of both conflicts can contribute immensely to destabilize, polarize and radicalize the region.
This panel will address key questions:
How does the Arctic's governance model offer lessons for resisting autocratization in polarized societies?
What are the risks posed by external geopolitical conflicts, such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine or Middle Eastern tensions, and correspondent geostrategic interests to Arctic cooperation?
How do Indigenous movements within the Arctic contribute to resisting autocratic pressures from state actors?
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