With pronounced effects of global warming, increasing economic prospects, the opening of sea routes and the evolution in the geopolitics of energy resources, the Arctic emerges as a new (geo)political and (geo)economic space. New actors enter the scene: national and transnational corporations in the mining and hydro-carbon sector, supranational organizations, Asian states... The ongoing debate on the evolving role of state is reactivated with a new pace of globalization affecting the region as well as with devolution processes and recognition of sub-identities within states.

The panel focuses on the role of state, as a regulatory actor, which power is challenged as various systems and levels of governance co-exist and are evolving. Competing models of international, transnational and regional governance pitch a Westphalian model of inter-state relations (as embodied by the Arctic Council or the Arctic 5) against a post-Westphalian model. This raises normative issues.

The purpose of this panel is to analyze: - To what extent do states engage in various strategies to maintain or reinforce their regulatory power? - Who are the new regulatory actors in the private and public sectors? - To what extent is the hierarchy of actors challenged? - How supranational, national and regional governance systems accommodate participation of citizens in decision-making processes? - To what extent international systems of governance compete?

Comparative approaches are welcome.

Abstracts due by 7 October; send to IPSA web page and c.c. to cecile.pelaudeix@sciencespo-lyon.fr