Greenland from a Commonwealth Perspective

Abstract

A Commonwealth perspective provides a useful comparative framework for understanding Greenland’s contemporary situation. There are parallels between the constitutional evolution of the Commonwealth, particularly in relation to the British dominions, and Greenland’s autonomous status within the Kingdom of Denmark. There is also a useful Commonwealth perspective on the issue of whether financial support from a metropole continues or becomes less in the event of an autonomous territory moving to full independence. Greenland’s situation also warrants comparison with the many small states within the Commonwealth, given that an independent Greenland would be very much a small state in population terms. As a predominantly indigenous Inuit society, Greenland can also be compared with ‘developed’ Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand where indigenous issues are important even though indigenous peoples are in a minority. Going beyond the comparative perspective, Greenland is relevant to specific Commonwealth countries, most notably Canada and the United Kingdom; other Commonwealth countries such as Singapore, India and Australia also have some interests relating to Greenland. Also beyond the comparative perspective Greenland is significant not just for the Commonwealth but for the whole world because of its position in relation to climate change.

Keywords:

• Greenland
• Denmark
• Commonwealth
• metropole
• Arctic
• small states
• indigenous politics
• climate change

Notes

1. See, for example, Klotz (2008, pp. 47–58).

2. As of January 2016 (Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2016, p. 6). All other figures in this article are 2015 estimates (unless otherwise indicated) from the Central Intelligence Agency, The World Factbook.

3. See Government of Greenland, Department of Foreign Affairs (2016).

4. See Denmark, Prime Minister’s Office (2016).

5. On the 2014 elections in Greenland, see, further, Wilson (2015).

6. Note in this context that about 40% of Greenlanders aged 15 and above receive social benefits payments (Statistics Greenland, Greenland in Figures 2016, p. 31).

7. On the Arctic Council, see, further, Wilson (2016).

8. On the United Kingdom as an Arctic power, see Her Majesty’s Government (2013).

9. See, for example, Khan et al. (2014); Mooney (2016).