History and perspectives for the expansion of the Russian Arctic o Ecumene

Abstract

The study of the Arctic has been and remains an urgent scientific and practical task. The Arctic region plays an exceptional role in modern world politics and economy. Russia is an active participant in all Arctic events. Arctic possessions of Russia are huge and rich in many kinds of valuable resources. The authors formulate General theoretical provisions and criteria of practical effectiveness, with the help of which it is possible to fix the strategy and objectives in the field of development of the Russian Arctic as an intensive living space (Ecumene). Such provisions and criteria are associated with so-called "codes of expansion", among which the natural, civilizational, socio-economic, ecological, recreational and geopolitical are analyzed. It is emphasized that the main reason for the slow development and low population of the Arctic zone of Russia are extreme climatic conditions, including permanent ice cover and drifting ice in the Arctic seas.