It is the only place on earth where there has never been war, where scientific research is the priority, and where the environment is fully protected. It is a beautiful continent, with a land mass greater than that of the United States and Europe combined, and successfully devoted to peace and science. But, there is a catch to this idyllic wonderland; well, maybe two, it is very cold, and it has no native human population. |
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Lily & Jose Azel on an ice sheet on the Weddell Sea, Antarctica |
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In December 2019, I put on my warmest winter gear and my political scientist sunglasses and journeyed to Antarctica in an effort to understand the success of the Antarctic Treaty which set aside the historical territorial claims of Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom. The United States, Russia, Belgium, Japan, and South Africa also had significant interests in Antarctica in 1961 when the treaty entered into force. Yet, the Antarctic Treaty has kept the continent peaceful and committed to science.
From our home base, on a cruise ship anchored offshore, we used zodiac landing crafts and kayaks to set foot on various parts of the continent on seven consecutive days. Keeping with the strict environmental protection rules of the Antarctic Treaty, our boots and any gear that touched Antarctic land were thoroughly disinfected before and after each landing.
This rigorous environmental enforcement may not seem remarkable until we consider that Antarctica does not belong to any nation or group of nations. While in Antarctica you are not in any country and thus not subject to the laws of any country. You are theoretically subject to the laws of your home country, and to the rules of the Antarctic Treaty, but there is no one in Antarctica to enforce those laws and rules. Any enforcement would have to wait until you get home.
Amazingly, the original Antarctic Treaty, signed by the 12 countries with territorial claims or significant interests, consisted of only fourteen short articles fitting in one page. Over the years, additional protocols have been added, and the Antarctic Treaty System has now been signed by 54 parties. To appreciate the scope of the Antarctic Treaty consider some of its key elements:
Article 1: No military use shall be made of Antarctica. Article 2: There will be complete freedom of scientific investigation. Article 3: Antarctic Treaty nations will exchange plans and scientific data from their scientific programs, and scientists shall be exchanged between expeditions and stations. Article 7: All facilities can be inspected at anytime by inspectors from other Treaty nations. Article 8: All personnel will be under the jurisdiction of their own country. Article 10: All Treaty nations will try to ensure that no one carries out any activity in Antarctica that is against the Treaty. Other Articles deal with environmental protection, conservation, waste disposal, etc.
Article 4 is an ingenious diplomatic slight of hand. All territorial claims of the nations that were actively involved in exploration are placed on hold. Notice that these territorial claims are neither recognized nor disregarded. They are just put on hold, and no new claims can be made while the Treaty is in force.
It is remarkable that this Treaty, signed during the Cold War, has been effective in regulating the international behavior, with respect to Antarctica, of powerful nations with competing claims and interests. Antarctica has not been the subject of international discord. It has remained peaceful, cooperative, environmentally protected, and committed to scientific research.
But it is not just about regulating the conduct of nation-states. The Treaty has influenced the way that ordinary people conduct themselves in Antarctica. The continent receives nearly 40,000 visitors per year and remains a beautiful pristine land where penguins ignore visitors.
From a political science perspective, the success of the Antarctic Treaty raises interesting questions about its applicability to other world regions and problems. Do the key elements of the Antarctic Treaty offer some sort of road map for a more peaceful world? Perhaps, but maybe it is just that Antarctica is very cold, and most importantly; it has no human population.
Please let us know if you this article. |
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We welcome your feedback. Abrazos, Lily & José (click on the name to email Lily or Jose) |
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