Orchestrating Peace in the “Final Frontier”: Critical Thinking as Arctic and Antarctic Activities Evolve

Abstract The term “final frontier” is normally used for outer space. However, the polar regions are likely to become ice free in the not-too-far-off future. Perhaps these locations will be our final, or next frontiers. Interests and activities are intensifying in the polar regions, especially since both polar ice caps are melting at accelerated rates. Polar lands and their natural resources are increasingly becoming ice free, territorial claims and discussions over territories are intensifying – in both the Arctic and Antarctica. This paper asserts that polar colonization and development scenarios are evolving. This is the time to apply critical thinking and critical international relations theory to assess current dynamics and factors happening concerning these regions. Similarly, discursive, legal, economic and military practices concerning rights to territories and natural resources in outer space are also beginning to escalate. Critical international relations scholars have provided detailed explanations so that we can understand connections between scrambles, colonization and development scenarios have helped produce various problems for humanity. Examples include conflict, poverty, war, inequality and environmental degradation, militarization, land and nature resource exploitation and expropriation. Future paradigms may be decided by economic concessions, geopolitical chess moves, or military strategy decision-making talents and processes. We do not have to continually wait until after-the-fact to address predictable patterns. This paper discusses several critical approaches to the study of international relations and their applicability to both polar regions, and outer space. In addition, it expresses the view that we can reimagine what our world might be like if past colonization and development scenarios had involved assurance mechanisms for equality, sustainability, elimination of conflict and widening inequality gaps, as well as social and financial equality. We can achieve higher levels of human freedom, prosperity and realizable opportunity for all people, as humanity advances its ongoing and future colonization and development projects.