The Benefit of International Relations Critical Theory to Highlight Lessons Learned: Guidelines for Media and Policymakers to Steer the Course for Humanity's Future, Hopes and Dreams

Paper number

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74697

Author

Prof. Edythe Weeks, Washington University in St. Louis, United States

Year

2023

Abstract

As the polar ice caps rapidly melt due to climate change, the freeing up of territory, natural resources and transit routes make it more likely that key actors will race or “scramble” to secure resources in the Arctic and Antarctica. Of similar concern, recent news reports indicate asteroid mining projects anticipated worth to be several quadrillion dollars. This is because natural resources such as gold, platinum, osmium, iridium and other precious metals have been discovered on the Near Earth asteroids. There is debate within the international space law community on whether and to what extent space mining will be governed. 

Given intense debate between space law leaders and potentially expiring treaties, protocols and agreements concerning both polar regions, there is future legal uncertainty. This zone of soft law and the interspace within the policy-law-science nexus, could mean that governance of the polar regions and outer space will hinge solely on power politics, military force and/or economic concessions. Activities in the global commons regions are reminiscent of repeating patterns and problems caused by past colonization and development scenarios. War, conflict, inequality, injustice, oppression, domination, economic benefit for just a few and other negative phenomena can be avoided this time.

Just as space-based observation satellites provide demonstrative and transparent records of climate change, critical international relations theory can provide humanity with 20-20 hindsight-foresight, along with lessons learned, about the predicable geopolitical exercises of power in the Arctic, Antarctica and outer space territories. 

This paper will provide guidelines on how to accomplish and achieve humanity’s articulated positive goals as agenda-setting advances for arctic, Antarctica and outer space territories. Policymakers, media networks, the space community and polar communities have unique ability to produce and illustrate collaborative solutions to steer the global general public into a paradigm shift, to guarantee that humanity’s intent to promote peaceful international development and international cooperation, equality, security, sustainability, environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, justice, the rule of law, freedom, pursuit of happiness and other feel good principles are really actualized. We have this one opportunity to make climate change dynamics benefit and improve the lives for all people from all nations.

Abstract document

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74697.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

GLOC-2023,T,IP,x74697.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.