Lock-In Effects of Arctic Council Authorization in Times of Rising International Interest

The Arctic Council has emerged as the primary body to address many of the socio-economic and environmental challenges associated with regional transformations in the North. Once established in 1996 as a loose intergovernmental forum between the Arctic sta tes, the authority of the organization has been gradually strengthened ever since. This observation leads to the following two interrelated research questions: Why, how and to what extent do the Arctic states empower the Arctic Council? Which consequence s result from Arctic Council authorization for both its member states and non-Arctic actors, here the European Union? What makes this authorization move puzzling is that the Arctic coastal states unanimously stress the importance of national sovereignty i n Northern Affairs. By drawing on historical institutionalism and the principal-agent framework, this project seeks to investigate the rationale for and the consequences of stepping up the Arctic Council's agency. It is assumed that the Arctic states use mechanisms of institutionalization, legalization and enlargement to raise the Counci´s legitimacy in Arctic governance and that way consolidate rather than soften their supremacy in regional affairs to keep any new aspirants at distance. The project will analyse primary documents such as national Arctic strategy and policy papers and Arctic Council documents and declarations. In addition, expert interviews will be conducted with Arctic Council officials located in Tromsø. The two-month research stay at the University of Tromsø (UiT) shall help to accomplish four goals: a) conduct in-depth research to comprehend and explain processes, causes and consequences of institutional empowerment of the Arctic Council (1996-2014), b) interview Arctic Council repre sentatives, c) produce and finalize two manuscripts in close collaboration with the UiT and d) strengthen the Norwegian-German research network regarding Arctic governance and institutions.