The Polar Regions and the Development of International Law

This book deals with international law in Antarctica and the Arctic. It reviews how each region is managed by the individual legal regimes, and how the special international laws developed specifically to deal with polar problems (for instance, protection of the environment) have contributed to the development of international law. It covers the legal issues concerning the geography and environment of the regions; the relevant aspects of the law of the sea; resource management; and environmental protection. The author reviews the international relations regime theory to analyse the development of the Polar regimes, and considers how the international relations necessary to deal with the unique problems caused by the polar environment and regional politics, has contributed to a greater understanding of international law.

List of figures; List of tables; Preface; Acknowledgments; Table of international and domestic arbitrations, cases and judgments; Table of conventions, treaties and other international instruments; List of abbreviations; Part I. Introduction to the Polar Regions: 1. Introduction; 2. The environment and resources of the polar regions; Part II. The Legal Regimes of the Polar Regions: 3. The Antarctic Treaty; 4. The Antarctic Treaty System; 5. International law in the Arctic; 6. Initiatives for Arctic regional cooperation; Part III. The Impact of the Polar Regions: 7. The polar regions and the law of the sea; 8. The polar regions and resource management; 9. The polar regions and international environmental law; 10. Regime theory, the polar regions and international law; Part IV. Conclusion: 11. The polar regions and their relationship with international law; Bibliography; Index.

This book deals with international law in Antarctica and the Arctic. It reviews how each region is managed by the individual legal regimes, and how the special international laws developed specifically to deal with polar problems (for instance, protection of the environment) have contributed to the development of international law.