Research | Forskning - peer review

This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess m… This article compares the self-government system in Greenland in Denmark and territorial governance in Nunavut, Canada in relation to the management of natural resources through the perspective of historical institutionalism. Both territories have undergone processes of re-empowerment, and possess major assets of natural resources, and the struggle for self-determination has triggered their metropolitan states (Denmark and Canada) and regional governments to consider some form of self-government. However, two different solutions have appeared due to gradual development through path dependency as legislation and form of government. Nunavut is a territory within the Canadian federal construction, based on Indigenous claims, while Greenland is a self-governing territory within the Danish unitary state. The land claims in Canada have given Nunavut some influence in the management of its natural resources, while Greenland has taken control of its subterranean resources through extended self-government implemented in 2009. This article will highlight the resource policy similarities and differences of the two territories via three potential explanatory factors: historical background, self-government, and the management of natural resources as a point of departure. The findings show that both regions have similarities in historical background and the management of natural resources, but there are also significant differences in how local authorities have addressed mining projects. Read more

Research | Forskning

Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland 2020-imi novembarip decembarillu ingerlanerani nunanut allanut illersuinissamullu politiki pillugu Kalaallit Nunaanni innuttaasut isumasiorfigisimavaat. Tamanna Nuummi HS Analyse taavalu Stokholmimi Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung suleqatigalugit ingerlanneqarsimavoq… Ilisimatusarfik/University of Greenland 2020-imi novembarip decembarillu ingerlanerani nunanut allanut illersuinissamullu politiki pillugu Kalaallit Nunaanni innuttaasut isumasiorfigisimavaat. Tamanna Nuummi HS Analyse taavalu Stokholmimi Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung suleqatigalugit ingerlanneqarsimavoq. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hvad mener grønlænderne om de ændrede geopolitiske dynamikker i Arktis, udenrigs- og sikkerhedsmæssige udfordringer samt om forskellige internationale samarbejdspartnere? Disse og lignende spørgsmål bliver ofte stillet, men for første gang har vi data til at analysere et repræsentativt udsnit af den… Hvad mener grønlænderne om de ændrede geopolitiske dynamikker i Arktis, udenrigs- og sikkerhedsmæssige udfordringer samt om forskellige internationale samarbejdspartnere? Disse og lignende spørgsmål bliver ofte stillet, men for første gang har vi data til at analysere et repræsentativt udsnit af den grønlandske befolknings holdninger til den omverden, der i de senere år i højere og højere grad har rettet blikket mod Arktis og Grønland. Artiklen præsenterer og diskuterer de væsentligste fund fra en survey-undersøgelse foretaget ultimo 2020 med fokus på aktuelt trusselsbillede, grønlændernes syn på stormagterne og især internationale samarbejdspartnere og organisationer. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Reindeer herding and husbandry in Greenland has a short history. While the hunting tradition is much older and has always been part of the Greenlandic tradition (specifically, the hunting of indigenous Greenlandic caribou), reindeer husbandry was first established in mid-west Greenland and later in… Reindeer herding and husbandry in Greenland has a short history. While the hunting tradition is much older and has always been part of the Greenlandic tradition (specifically, the hunting of indigenous Greenlandic caribou), reindeer husbandry was first established in mid-west Greenland and later in southern Greenland in the 1950s. The introduction of semi-domestic reindeer from Norway was established in 1952 due to a drop in the indigenous reindeer population throughout the 1920s to 1940s. This chapter outlines the story of reindeer herding in Greenland and its failures and relative successes. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Pituffik or Thule in Greenland has always been controversial within foreign and security policy between three parties: Denmark,Greenland and the USA. The Thule-base in Greenland has had an important role during the Cold War as part of the US military sphere in the North. The role of the base has cha… Pituffik or Thule in Greenland has always been controversial within foreign and security policy between three parties: Denmark,Greenland and the USA. The Thule-base in Greenland has had an important role during the Cold War as part of the US military sphere in the North. The role of the base has changed over time to become a radar station, but it is still part of the overall US defense system. Recent tensions around the base regarding the contract and subcontractor’s role have intensified discussions about the existence of the base and who actually has power over the base. The Greenlandic government has had awish to be more influential on what is going on in the far north, but things have been held secret from the public and local politicians. This has resulted in some skepticism between Greenland and Denmark on the one hand, but also between Greenland and the USA on the other. This paper will shed light on the development from the bilateral to the trilateral relationship outplayed between the three major actors and how this relates to foreign and security policy within the Kingdom of Denmark and the relationship towards the USA. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland is a case of a delegation model, where powers from the state have been delegated in a step-wise manner from time to time. The model used by Denmark and Greenland in their relationship is based on negotiations between the two governments. Usually commissions are established with an equal nu… Greenland is a case of a delegation model, where powers from the state have been delegated in a step-wise manner from time to time. The model used by Denmark and Greenland in their relationship is based on negotiations between the two governments. Usually commissions are established with an equal number of representatives from each side. This is illustrated by the two autonomy referendums, which this article focuses on. In a time of a political awakening period from the 1960s through the 1970s voices for more autonomy was on the agenda, which led to the first autonomy referendum back in 1979. After 20 years of Home Rule, while Greenland had fulfilled the Home Rule Act new negotiations were taken place in order to enhance the self-government. This led to the second autonomy referendum in 2008 with the implementation of the Self-Government Act in 2009. Greenland is now in a process towards further autonomy or even outright independence. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

In this article we combine two traditions within political science: regional party research and selfgovernment research. The reason behind this rationale is to show that mobilization of the electorate is solely in the hands of regional parties in the three autonomous islands under investigation: the… In this article we combine two traditions within political science: regional party research and selfgovernment research. The reason behind this rationale is to show that mobilization of the electorate is solely in the hands of regional parties in the three autonomous islands under investigation: the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Åland Islands. We use most similar systems design as an approach to look at how the different party systems have evolved over time. The degree of entrenched self-rule has been different over time but is now on a similar level. The background variables that have been held constant in this context are the population size and the degree of a distinct culture and language, which emanates from a homogenous population on the islands. A distinct party system can evolve exclusively around a national parliament and an entrenched regional assembly. In our study regional parties are members of both. Self-government has a severe impact on the birth of regional parties, and their incumbents serve in the first instance as agents for the regional government in national parliaments. In this study we have chosen to look at the impact of entrenched self-government on regional parties and regional party systems. Self-government facilitates birth of new parties, and when the devolved government is well consolidated it gives fuel to the emergence of a distinct full-scale party system. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Grönland har en politisk vilja att nå självständighet, då de flesta politiska partier är för självständighet. Självständighetstanken är inte ny, men den har blivit mer aktuell under senare decennier. De nationalistiska strömningarna startade redan under 1960-talet, då välutbildade grönlänningar i Da… Grönland har en politisk vilja att nå självständighet, då de flesta politiska partier är för självständighet. Självständighetstanken är inte ny, men den har blivit mer aktuell under senare decennier. De nationalistiska strömningarna startade redan under 1960-talet, då välutbildade grönlänningar i Danmark startade proteströrelser emot den danska statens sätt att hantera sin forna koloni. Artikeln kommer att se på den politiska dimensionen från starten av de nationalistiska strömningarna till våra dagar. Hur har den politiska dimensionen förändrats över tid? Vilka alternativ till fullständig självständighet finner vi i den grönländska debatten? Artikeln behandlar endast den politiska dimensionen och kommer därför inte in på ekonomiska förutsättningar eller eventuellt andra förhållanden. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

The following sections summarize the main adaptation options from this report, consider and consolidate the sectoral responses outlined in previous chapters, and add relevant adaptation options from other sources, including Arctic Council reports.

Research | Forskning - peer review

This chapter elucidates the Nordic islands: the Åland Islands, Faroe Islands and Greenland in comparison with the Portuguese autonomous islands of Azores and Madeira. The questions answered are what kind of constitutional and political development these island autonomies have been encountering and w… This chapter elucidates the Nordic islands: the Åland Islands, Faroe Islands and Greenland in comparison with the Portuguese autonomous islands of Azores and Madeira. The questions answered are what kind of constitutional and political development these island autonomies have been encountering and what their characteristic features are regarding their relationship with their respective metropolitan state. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Greenland and the Faroes are autonomous jurisdictions within the Danish Realm, having undertaken a continuous process of extended self-determination in the post-WWII era. In both jurisdictions there are strong movements of secession and counter-secession, whose respective strengths are largely achie… Greenland and the Faroes are autonomous jurisdictions within the Danish Realm, having undertaken a continuous process of extended self-determination in the post-WWII era. In both jurisdictions there are strong movements of secession and counter-secession, whose respective strengths are largely achieved through external relations. This paper will first provide an introduction to the historical background and the formal relationship between the two jurisdictions and their metropolitan state. We will then extend the two cases with a description of how increased internal autonomy has evolved in a dynamic interaction with changes in international affairs. Whether the two jurisdictions may move towards full secession or new forms of unity is difficult to predict, but external relations keep on pushing at the formal structures and limits of the realm, which we will briefly reflect upon in the final section. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

Since the Greenland Self-Government Act came into force in 2009, economic development and the right to utilize natural resources in Greenland lies in the hands of the Self-Government. Earlier efforts to establish this authority were made back in the 1970s, when discussions on Home Rule were first on… Since the Greenland Self-Government Act came into force in 2009, economic development and the right to utilize natural resources in Greenland lies in the hands of the Self-Government. Earlier efforts to establish this authority were made back in the 1970s, when discussions on Home Rule were first on the agenda. Mining industries are not a new activity in Greenland. During the Second World War, Greenlandic cryolite was used to produce aluminum for the North American aircraft industry. Other essential natural resources, such as gold and gemstones, have also recieved international interest over the years. Greenland's new development aim is to build up a large-scale mining industry. This article elucidates the form of public consultation processes followed in Greenland in connection to two large-scale mining projects and the different views various actors have regarding these events. How did the deliberative democratic process unfold in Greenland regarding these projects? Was the process followed and effective way to manage these kinds of projects? The article shows that two projects that received a lot of media attention: the 2005 iron ore mine project Isukasia, and the 2001 TANBREEZ-project to extract rare earth elements, used highly different approaches when it comes to deliberative democracy. In the former case, a limited degree of deliberative democracy was used, while in the latter case, the opposite applies. Read more

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article will give an overview of the Greenlandic parliamentarian elections from the advent of home rule to today's self-government. The point of departure will be to look at the party mobilization throughout the years and the electoral results with voter turnout and candidate nominations. The a… This article will give an overview of the Greenlandic parliamentarian elections from the advent of home rule to today's self-government. The point of departure will be to look at the party mobilization throughout the years and the electoral results with voter turnout and candidate nominations. The article will be placed within the framework of theories regarding voter behaviour and electoral systems. Questions to be answered are e.g.: Can we draw a trend of change of party positions throughout the years? Have the parties changed their ideology throughout time? Is there a specific pattern in Greenlandic politics regarding mobilization in politics in comparison to other sub-national jurisdictions? What can be said about voter behaviour amongst the people? Read more