Introductory essay: Polar regions and multi-level governance

This introductory essay synthesises the contributions to this special issue on polar regions and multi-level governance, showing how they address three important themes in the study of institutional complexes: interplay management; the influence that global institutions and processes exert on regional regimes; and the ways in which states and other actors pursue their interests within complexes of institutions. The institutional complexes in focus here comprise institutions relevant to Arctic Ocean governance, EU-Arctic relationships, Arctic maritime boundary disputes, the Antarctic Treaty System (including CCAMLR), the preservation of cultural heritage and the traditional economy in Newfoundland and Labrador, and scientific research in Svalbard.