Arktis, en plats för både soft och hard power?

Sammanfattning: The Arctic is a changing place where the melting of the ice creates new opportunities and shipping lanes, such as Northern Sea Route and possibility for raw material extraction. However, this prospects can also be a road to conflict. Russia and China are very active in the area with both soft and hard power, where China has focused on values, research and cooperation and Russia puts efforts on its military power, although Russia is trying to gain ground with values and policies. The essay focuses on Joseph S. Nye Jr.'s ideas of soft and hard power where he emphases realism for both concepts unlike Ernest J Wilson who also stresses liberalism. Nye’s hard power consists of economic and military means whereas the soft power involves culture, science, and cooperation. Congruence analysis is made in the essay, but the main focus will be on a table created by Nye.