Arctic State Identity

With increasing international attention directed northwards, the status of the eight Arctic states have taken on added geopolitical importance. However, a formal title is one thing, political practice and feelings of attachment is another. This book sets out to answer whether there is such a thing as an Arctic state identity, and specifically what this might mean for state personnel. It focuses on three of the eight Arctic states, where identity has been frequently talked about by political leaders: Norway, Iceland, and Canada. By focusing on three diverse cases of Arctic state identity, the book charts similarities and differences across state contexts. As soon becomes clear, there is no singular Arctic state identity, but rather numerous relational articulations of what it means to represent and 'be' Arctic. These identities are narrated as both geographical and historical, yet the ways in which they come to matter are always social, political, and cultural. The book offers a new perspective and powerful insights from 'inside' the state in a time when Arctic geopolitics is high on the agenda. And more broadly, it presents a 'peopled' understanding of geopolitics, charting the rich stories, experiences, and thoughtful reflections of state personnel. Introducing the original concept and framework of 'state identity', the book brings together views of statehood and national identity, showing the human side of representing a state.