Quasi-States on Ice: Reconciling Westphalian Sovereignty, Globalization, and Emerging States in the North American Arctic

Abstract

This thesis concerns the geopolitical situation of new and emerging states in the North American Arctic – namely, in Greenland and in Nunavut. Beginning from traditional definitions of Westphalian sovereignty and self-determination in the political theory literature, and juxtaposing the ever-changing nature of these definitions with the effects of colonialism on Indigenous conceptions of, and claims to, sovereignty, the thesis considers questions of agency, autonomy, and independence for the various political entities of the high north. By critically analyzing the depth of literature surrounding the development of autonomy in Alaska, northern Canada, and Greenland, this thesis serves as a treatise on not only how the region’s unique political position has evolved (and will continue to evolve) throughout history, but also what devolution in the North American Arctic can demonstrate regarding the modern position of Westphalian sovereignty. Ultimately, this thesis finds that the situation in the North American Arctic poses significant challenges to both historical and contemporary definitions of Westphalian sovereignty, and a non-Westphalian dynamic exists and is sustained in the region.