Between markets and geo-politics: natural resource exploitation on Spitsbergen from 1600 to the present dayShow others and affiliations
Responsible organisation
2011 (English)In: Polar Record, ISSN 0032-2474, E-ISSN 1475-3057, Vol. 47, no 240, p. 29-39Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Resource type
Text
Abstract [en]
What are the driving forces behind large scale natural resource exploitation in the polar regions and how should we understand the relations between these forces? New historical-archaeological research performed during the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-2009 on whaling, hunting and mining in Spitsbergen (1600-present) show both economic and geopolitical factors driving the development of those industries, both the whaling industries in the 17th century and 1900's, and the mining industry of the early 20th century. However, the relation between these driving forces has differed, both between time periods and between actors. In most cases economic motives provided the main rationale for utilising resources and for government support for resource exploiters, but in some instances governments would support even unprofitable ventures in order to maintain a foothold on Spitsbergen.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2011. Vol. 47, no 240, p. 29-39
Research subject
SWEDARCTIC; SWEDARCTIC 2006, LASHIPA 3; SWEDARCTIC 2007, LASHIPA 4
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:polar:diva-2620DOI: 10.1017/S0032247410000069ISI: 000284712500003OAI: oai:DiVA.org:polar-2620DiVA, id: diva2:885100
2015-12-182015-12-182025-06-12