Globalization, Culture, and Northern Identities: Some Considerations for a Northern Dimension Foreign Policy

This paper explores the positive and negative impacts of economic, political, and cultural globalization identified by contemporary researchers of the Circumpolar North. Much of the analysis is based on findings of the Circumpolar Coping Processes Project (UNESCO), the Contemporary Issues in Circumpolar Affairs curriculum development project (University of the Arctic), and the Arctic Human Development Report (Arctic Council). The author explores the balance between what are generally seen to be negative economic impacts and potentially positive political and cultural impacts such as the devolution of political power from national governments and increased recognition of indigenous rights.