Scientific Research as a Gateway to Arctic Governance for Observer States
This article proposes to analyze scientific research as the main path for the integration of states outside the Arctic region. We show that for a set of European and Asian states, their scientific involvement in the Arctic has been the driving force behind their integration into the regional political system especially in governance, and whose main structure has been the Arctic Council since 1996. Composed solely of the eight States recognized as sovereign in the region and six indigenous organizations, the Council has incorporated thirteen States with “observer” status. In this article, we, therefore, focus on the scientific activity of these Observer states and the broader dimension of science as an instrument of diplomacy, for participation in governance. However, the Arctic Council framework alone is limited and we show that science is the path to other forms of integration.