The political economy of northern regional development

The Project aims at analysis of two hypotheses:

1. Comparative analysis of Arctic regional economies ability to spur growth and development can be

explained by theory and methodologies in the field of comparative economic systems analysis. Hence,

problems and potentials are system problems or system potentials? This type of approach involves

classification of the arctic regional economies and the establishment of key economic and social

indicators. The applied methodology in this type of analysis is comparisons of historic data.

2. Arctic economies' ability to develop and grow are constrained by the access to living and non-living

resources, where climate and geography are an essential limitation on the ability to develop? The applied

method in this part of the project identifies problems and potentials regarding the regional capabilities

to cope with changes in biodiversity, landscapes and utilization of space. Moreover, changes both in the

global dependency and in the climate does impact the living conditions as well as societal infrastructure

in general including. The process of localisation, urbanisation, energy consumption and transportation

systems creates important impacts on costs and benefits where local vulnerability and resilience will

define the Arctic societies' ability to cope with the changes. The aim is to implement economic impact

assessment in relation to these changes and to analyse the local qualifications and capability to meet

these changes.

There are four approaches to analysis of the research question regarding Arctic regional economies ability to

create a self-reliance and economic independence. First the impact of globalisation, second the systemic

impact, third the climatological impact and fourth impacts of a local character in each region.

Økonomi, politik, regional udvikling