The situation of the Arctic is related with global governance in a particular way. Oceans and seas have been privileged spaces of globalization, since the Mare Liberum vision surpassed the idea of a Mare Clausum. Still, each country was responsible for their conquered or colonized countries and dominions. Notions of shared resources or of the ocean space as common heritage of mankind did not exist yet. The global perspective, that by its very own nature, is included in the ocean, was reinforced only in the 20th century. However, in the Artic there is still an absence of a specific regime, as opposed to the Antarctic to which several international treaties apply. This lacuna, in an area shared by 3 continents and 8 countries, provides an excellent case study allowing for a reflection on global governance and on its main challenges and limits.

--