Publikationer

Research | Forskning - peer review

Referendums are used to constitute the ‘will of the people’ at a snapshot in time. At the same time, referendums are sometime constitutive of the self-determination of a people. More specifically, a referendum solidifies a certain bounding of a demos by legitimising a certain demarcation of who are… Referendums are used to constitute the ‘will of the people’ at a snapshot in time. At the same time, referendums are sometime constitutive of the self-determination of a people. More specifically, a referendum solidifies a certain bounding of a demos by legitimising a certain demarcation of who are eligible to take part in decision-making. But simultaneously the referendum creates an action space for the people by offering new opportunities in political economy and sometimes foreign policy but also delimiting what kind of affairs are within the bounds of this particular people’s decision-making. This article charts the consecution of referendums – actual and imagined – with a bearing on the (proto-)constitutional expansion and action space of the Greenlandic demos to tease out the empirical dynamics linking referendums at different scales of polity over time. As the article discusses relations within the Kingdom of Denmark and between referendums on European integration (in both Greenland and Denmark proper), Greenlandic decolonisation and expanding autonomy and a hypothetical future version of independence, it sheds new light on the bounded demos problematique in relation to multilevel integration/disintegration dynamics mediated by referendums. In sum, the article analyses how decisions made in one referendum by a demos bounded in one way have bearings on how other demoi are bounded in later referendums, and why this matters to the resulting action spaces for the people’s self-determination being (re-)shaped. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

This article traces the recent development of security and defence policy in Greenland. Although constitutionally, questions of security and defence have been for Denmark to decide, Greenland has recently begun to formulate its own security and defence policies, as part of its quest to secure intern… This article traces the recent development of security and defence policy in Greenland. Although constitutionally, questions of security and defence have been for Denmark to decide, Greenland has recently begun to formulate its own security and defence policies, as part of its quest to secure international recognition as an actor in its own right, and to play a part in shaping, and benefitting from, vast increases in defence investments. Traditionally, Greenland has cleaved to a pacifist position, and has sought to keep the military presence in the Arctic to a minimum. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the threat of annexation following President Trump’s return to the White House, have raised the stakes over matters of Arctic security. As Greenland has demanded a greater say in negotiations with the Danish government over investments in security, defence policy has come to the fore in the domestic politics of Greenland itself. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

I den offentlige debat fylder forholdet til Danmark, USA og Kina oftest noget mere end EU. Denne artikel vil med udgangspunkt i de to EF-afstemninger i hhv. 1972 og 1982 argumentere for at denne politiske periode er helt central for at forstå den stigende internationale rolle, som Grønland aktuelt s… I den offentlige debat fylder forholdet til Danmark, USA og Kina oftest noget mere end EU. Denne artikel vil med udgangspunkt i de to EF-afstemninger i hhv. 1972 og 1982 argumentere for at denne politiske periode er helt central for at forstå den stigende internationale rolle, som Grønland aktuelt spiller i et foranderligt Arktis. Læs mere

Research | Forskning

Podcast: Hør Sara Olsvig fortælle om den svære balancegang mellem selvbestemmelse og stormagtsinteresser, og hvad der står på spil for Grønlands fremtid. Medvirkende: Sara Olsvig og Rasmus Leander Nielsen, Ilisimatusarfik.

Research | Forskning

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the I… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy for foreign, security and defense policy. Now, less than two years later, the strategy may be revised to adapt the (con)text in light of geopolitical complexities since the start of 2025 and the new coalition government formed in Greenland after the Inatsisartut election in March. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Grønlands strategi for udenrigs-, forsvars- og sikkerhedspolitik står formentlig over for en opdatering i den kommende tid. Blandt andet synes det muligt, at USA vil fylde mindre og EU mere.

Communication | Formidling

Fredag 15. marts åbner Europa-Kommissionen sit længe ventede kontor i Nuuk. Men på trods af EU's vigtighed for Grønland spiller EU en relativt afdæmpet rolle i Grønlands nye udenrigspolitiske strategi.

Research | Forskning - peer review

In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of… In February 2024, Greenland published a strategy on foreign, security, and defense policy. The strategy had been eagerly awaited for several years. The novel strategy aims to secure a stable foreign policy direction for Greenland for a decade and signal intents to multiple audiences. The Kingdom of Denmark had to delay their common strategy (or, policy) for the entire realm until the Greenlandic strategy was published, while other Arctic states have been curious on the priorities of the strategy. In this briefing note, we outline the historical and (geo)political context of the strategy. We then move on to discuss some of the main items of the strategy by emphasizing the relative of weight of certain areas over others (US and North American Arctic over EU and Denmark), security and defense policy, and climate policy, and, thirdly, sketch out the implications of these priorities for Greenland’s (geo)political aspirations and diplomatic relations. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

EU er for dårlig til at gøre opmærksom på sit bidrag til Grønland.

Communication | Formidling

Grønland og EU har et helt specielt partnerskab, gentog begge parter i sommer under en række møder, hvor bl.a. Partnerskabsaftalen vedrørende uddannelse blev behandlet. Forholdet startede dog knap så smidigt, og i første halvdel af 1980’erne var skilsmissen en realitet.

Communication | Formidling

Kalaallit Nunaat aamma EU immikkuullarissumik suleqatigiipput, aasaanerani ataatsimiinnerni assigiinngitsuni tamanna suleqatigiilluarneq uteqqinneqarpoq, ilaatigut ilinniartitaanermut tunngasut suleqatigiissutiginissaanut isumaqatigiissut suliarineqarpoq. Pissutsit eqaatsumik aallartipput, 1980-ikku… Kalaallit Nunaat aamma EU immikkuullarissumik suleqatigiipput, aasaanerani ataatsimiinnerni assigiinngitsuni tamanna suleqatigiilluarneq uteqqinneqarpoq, ilaatigut ilinniartitaanermut tunngasut suleqatigiissutiginissaanut isumaqatigiissut suliarineqarpoq. Pissutsit eqaatsumik aallartipput, 1980-ikkullu qiteqqunneranni katissimasut avissinnaanerat piviusunngortinneqarluni. Læs mere

Research | Forskning - peer review

The Danish Left and the Constitutional/Lisbon Treaty: not so sceptical after all.

Research | Forskning - peer review

The chapter comparatively analyses elite behaviour in the Constitutional Treaty Referendums.

Research | Forskning - peer review

Hvad kommer til at afgøre de kommende folkeafstemninger om de danske forbehold? Denne artikel argumenterer for, at vælgerne er rationelle, status quo-orienterede og opvejer fordele og ulemper ved det, de bliver spurgt om og især omkostninger ved at stemme Nej. Uden afgørende omkostninger forbundet m… Hvad kommer til at afgøre de kommende folkeafstemninger om de danske forbehold? Denne artikel argumenterer for, at vælgerne er rationelle, status quo-orienterede og opvejer fordele og ulemper ved det, de bliver spurgt om og især omkostninger ved at stemme Nej. Uden afgørende omkostninger forbundet med at stemme Nej kan det således blive vanskeligt for regeringen at vinde flere af afstemningerne. Læs mere

Communication | Formidling

Large amounts of money are being transferred from Brussels to Nuuk. But the EU is not good enough at showing how much it contributes, so ordinary Greenlanders aren’t aware of this.

Communication | Formidling

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): In the midst of intense international interest in Greenland, general elections have been called for March 11th, with potential geopolitical implications across a range of issues, including independence from the Kingdom of Denmark. To expla… Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis (Podcast): In the midst of intense international interest in Greenland, general elections have been called for March 11th, with potential geopolitical implications across a range of issues, including independence from the Kingdom of Denmark. To explain the stakes and dynamics of the upcoming election, and analyze regional security in the context of U.S. interest in acquiring Greenland, joining the podcast is Dr. Rasmus Leander Nielsen, head of the Centre for Foreign & Security Policy at the University of Greenland in Nuuk. He also analyzes relations between Copenhagen and Nuuk, as well as Greenland’s geopolitical position and natural resources, which has attracted great interest not only from the United States but also from China and the European Union. In addition, Dr. Leander Nielsen discusses the Kingdom of Denmark’s upcoming chairship of the Arctic Council, where Greenland will play a leading role. Læs mere