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Arctic science diplomacy in new geopolitical conditions: From “soft” power to “hard” dialogue?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2023

Yulia Zaika Open the ORCID record for Yulia Zaika [Opens in a new window]  and
Maria Lagutina Open the ORCID record for Maria Lagutina [Opens in a new window]
Yulia Zaika*
Affiliation:
St Petersburg State University, International Affairs Faculty, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
Maria Lagutina
Affiliation:
St Petersburg State University, International Affairs Faculty, Sankt-Peterburg, Russia
*
Corresponding author: Yulia Zaika, Email: yulia.valerievna.zaika@gmail.com
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Abstract

Recent years have shown that international science dialogue exists at the edge of turbulence and is disturbed by different geopolitical events. The notion of science diplomacy has taken the critical discourse to different levels of actors. Such a discourse exposes the epistemological ambivalence and methodological imbalance of both science and diplomacy in this phenomenon. Current geopolitical conditions have revealed new edges of science diplomacy instruments that spread from “soft” to “hard” practices. Different levels of dialogue and cooperation have shown different examples of resilience and adaptability (or the opposite) to the external turbulence. The phenomenon of regionalisation in science diplomacy is facing criticism from the science community while the current geopolitical situation has dramatically influenced the Arctic science dialogue, as well as governance practices. This commentary discusses particular examples of existing Arctic science diplomacy practices in current geopolitical conditions which are reflected in the Arctic theoretical and practical discourse.

Keywords

ArcticScience diplomacyInternationalDialogueGeopolitics
Type
Commentary
Information
Polar Record , Volume 59 , 2023 , e23
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press

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