Synopses & Reviews
Recent controversies over the political and environmental management of the Antarctic ensure that it will remain an important global issue. Drawing on recent developments in critical geopolitics and cultural geography, Klaus Dodds examines the six major nations of the Southern hemisphere currently involved in the Antarctic. Each of these nations - Argentina, Australia, Chile, India, New Zealand and South Africa - claims a natural interest in the future of the polar continent. Geopolitics in Antarctica presents a detailed exploration of the rhetoric and politics behind each of these claims, arguing that they are often based on uncritical understandings of territory, geographical proximity and national identity. The book concludes with an examination of how geographical understandings of the Antarctic continue to influence the management of the frozen continent and Southern Ocean.
Synopsis
Reflecting recent controversies over the political and environmental management of the Antarctic, this book critically examines the geopolitical and geographical perspectives on the Antarctic, including the Southern Oceans and the Antarctic Treaty Area, adopted by various "Southern" states. It examines how often simple forms of geographical reasoning have been employed in order to explain and justify involvement in the Antarctic region.
Highlights the roles that various states and their representatives (scientist, politicians and academics) have played in the Antarctic.
Table of Contents
Introduction: The Southern Oceanic Rim States and Antarctica.
Critical Geopolitics and Geo-Graphing of Antarctica.
Argentina and Antartida Argentina.
Australia and Australian Antarctic Territory.
Chile and Territorio Chileno Antartico.
India and the Antarctic.
New Zealand and the Ross Dependency.
South Africa and the Antarctic.
Conclusions and the Future of Antarctica.
References.
Index.