Drawing out the complex relationship between domestic, Arctic, international and transnational Inuit politics, this book sets out to recognise the politics of the Inuit and the Arctic as a much more complex element of international relations and global politics. The author examines how the Inuit polity has transcended a history of colonisation, political marginalisation and attempted assimilation to become a contemporary political actor aiming to help steer not only Arctic but also global governance. Through this narrative a second historical narrative also emerges regarding the making and practices of the Westphalian political system, a history of exploration, colonization, state building, and, eventually, indigenous political agency. The author uses these two narratives to offer a more nuanced picture of the history of Arctic politics and the political role of the Inuit as well as a case study for better understanding the expanding role and authority of non-state actors in global politics. This book will be of strong interest to students and scholars of Arctic politics, indigenous affairs, IR theory and environmental politics.
The Politics of Arctic Sovereignty : Oil, Ice, and Inuit Governance