Role Theory, Environmental Politics, and Learning in International Relations: The Case of the Arctic Region by Sandra Engstrand

Author:Sandra Engstrand [Engstrand, Sandra]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: International Relations, Public Policy, Political Science, Environmental Policy, General
ISBN: 9781000393170
Google: iRMtEAAAQBAJ
Goodreads: 56364845
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2021-05-01T00:00:00+00:00

What Social Interaction Has Brought About

Sweden’s role conception is that of someone who cares for the environment, believes in science, and knows the topic spoken. Ultimately, it is that of an expert who could teach others. Yet, its role performance reveals that teacher to be highly attentive toward others’ wishes for ‘education.’ Illustratively, when the U.S. presented a discussion paper on climate change, noting “ACs potential role in educating the world about the Arctic and climate,” Sweden would be the first to offer its support (SAO meeting Fairbanks, 2016; SAO discussion paper, 2016b). To act as a teacher on demand implies being sensitive to when it is appropriate to teach, and when others are susceptible to be taught. In the case of Sweden, social interaction thereby contains important information regarding when there would be an international need for a knowledgeable teacher to push environmental governance forward.

Sweden works with rules, implicit as well as explicit, instead of pushing its agenda through. Critique against Russia as a major source of pollution in Sweden was, for instance, not shared until Russia chaired the AC, i.e., was ‘in power’ and more legitimate to criticize (SAO meeting Yakutsk, 2005; Khanty-Mansiysk, 2005). However, after all, it could be that the critique included more of a profound personal dimension. Because, in a timely context, Russia’s strict control over its Arctic passages had made it difficult for Sweden to go through with its research expedition: samples could not be taken out from Russia, and Oden was required an (expensive and time-consuming) escort by the Russian icebreakers (ibid.). If Sweden could not pursue research from a research platform like Oden, Sweden would be deprived of what makes the country unique in international settings. It would simply risk losing the confirmation from others of being a knowledgeable actor, and as such, put the Swedish role conception in jeopardy.

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