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Arctic Yearbook 2013
Jegorova
each of the five degrees of regionness, summarised in Table 2 (next page), present an intricate
pattern of a complicated development process. Some stages of regionness are completed, some
have already passed, while others are still evolving and fulfil the necessary criteria only partially.
7
The
regional space –
the first stage of the regionalisation process – features a geographically defined
area bound by environmental commonalities. As we already know from Väyrynen's definition of
physical regions, this formulation does apply to the Arctic as a quintessence of the very idea of this
polar region. Another feature of the regional space is the isolated nature of its communities, which
is historically true for the Arctic as well. Although mostly non-existent now, the predominantly
nomadic behaviour of the indigenous peoples was largely caused by the harsh climate conditions,
forcing the populations to move together with their reindeer herds in search of food during
summer, and warmth during winter. With the encroachment of nation-states and advance of
modern technology, the once freely roaming peoples are now facing the challenges of country
borders and growing industrialisation.
8
Nevertheless, rough climate, difficult living conditions, and
poor infrastructure are still the main reasons for the low levels and a consequent isolationist nature
of the Arctic population, which amounts to a mere four million people in an area of 12.6 million
km
2
(Bogoyavlenskiy & Siggner, 2004: 27). If compared to a state, this would be equal to placing the
population of Liberia or Lebanon on a territory larger than Canada, the world's second biggest
country (CIA Factbook, n.d.a; CIA Factbook, n.d.b).
Characteristics
Applicability to the Arctic
Regional
space
Geographic area with natural borders
and similar ecology
Proximity to the Arctic Ocean; environmental and
climatological peculiarities specific to the area within the
Arctic Circle
Predominantly
locally
isolated
communities
Historical predominance of tribal life style of indigenous
peoples; poor infrastructure
Regional
complex
Prevalence of nation-state identity
over collective memory; nation-states
are leading actors
Imposed state borders (e.g., Sápmi cultural region); Arctic
Council starting as an intergovernmental initiative
Birth stage of interdependence (
security
complex
: dependence on each other and
the stability of the regime within the
region); balance of power is crucial
Balance of power in the Arctic during the Cold War
(Western bloc versus Soviet bloc); the measures taken by
one state would most definitely receive a countermeasure
on part of another
Distinctive features of economy are
self-interest, national protectionism,
instability
Historically the economic opportunities in the Arctic have
always been rather scarce; this might not apply as a
particular criterion
Regional
society
Emergence
of
complex
multidimensional interactions between
various state and non-state actors
Interplay of economies due to globalisation processes; the
increase in cooperative activities in the Arctic during
recent years; the role of social and cultural interaction
growing