Leiden University Student Repository

Balk, W. H. (2011)

An Icy Grip: US-Canadian Relations concerning the Arctic during and after the Cold War

Master thesis | History (MA)

The US-Canadian relationship is often characterized as a 10:1 ratio, with Canada as the clearly minor partner. In issues concerning the Arctic, this looks quite different as these issues are of very high relevance, even identity-defining to Canada. The US, on the other hand, needs Canadian cooperation in issues like energy and continental security, where the Arctic plays an important role. This thesis seeks to analyze this relationship on the issues of territorial sovereignty, security, energy and environment and regional governance. For these topics, the importance of the end of the Cold War is assessed. The emerging image is one of deep, if unequal mutual interdependence, where neither country has clear superior force over the other.

Author

Balk, W. H.

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Specialisation

American History

Supervisors

Scott-Smith, G.

ECTS Credits

30

Language

en