Antarctica - The Game of Great Powers' Geopolitical Strategies

• Author: Petrica N.
• Pages: 215-228

Bulletin of the Transilvania University of Braşov

Series V: Economic Sciences • Vol. 10 (59) No. 1 - 2017

Antarctica – The game of great powers’ geopolitical

strategies

Nicoleta PETRICĂ1

Abstract: Antarctica is a unique and valuable continent. The international community,

through the Antarctic Treaty, is interested in providing efficient administration, achieving

rational management of ecosystems. One of the countries located closest to Antarctica is

New Zealand. This country is interested in prevention of any conflicts caused by claims on

this continent. Since the end of Cold War and especially in the beginning of 21st century, this

country has been interested in maintaining this continent as an important gateway used for

sustainable development. While the whole world is in a state of transition, and considering

that Antarctica is a continent 30% larger than Europe and 50% larger than Australia, it is a

true “scientific lab” for the entire world and it contains a significant part of earth's ice cap,

playing a decisive role in provision of world's climate balance, the international community

establishing a set of provisions in the Antarctic Treaty System, implementing practical

conditions for efficient administration and rational management of Antarctica and its

dependent and associated ecosystems. (Stuart Prior, 1997)

Key-words: Antarctica, Antarctic Treaty, sustainable development, ecosystem, climate

balance, geopolitical strategies

1. Introduction

The Antarctic Treaty was concluded more than 40 years ago, proposing an

integrated and global framework to provide preservation of this unique continent.

After the end of Cold War and dissolution of USSR in 1991, the decisive role

of the United States in administration of Antarctica's issues, as well as the American

presence on this continent, became undisputable. After losing in the global

competition against the United States, Russians were forced to reduce dramatically

their presence and claims on this area, of a strategic importance for the whole world.

On the other hand, the end of Cold War caused the smaller states to be forced

to conclude circumstantial alliances in order to promote more strongly their interests

in this region. A similar competition also takes place between the great powers, but

in this case the capacity for design of power and interests in Antarctica, inclusively

1 University of Bucharest, nicoleta.petrica92@yahoo.com