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How does a Forstian theory of transnational justice help us understand regional governance structures of the Arctic, such as the Arctic Council, and how could it contribute to implementing procedural aspects of justice? The purpose of this chapter is to discuss transnational justice for the Arctic, taking into account the regional, indigenous and environmental aspects of this specific region. Based on literature reviews on normative traditions of justice, the account suggested here draws on Critical Theory, primarily the work of Rainer Forst (2001, 2014 and 2020). The suggested framework proposes normative criteria required for a comprehensive theory of Arctic justice. In addition, it also recommends an analytical structure for assessing justice in the Arctic. The guiding principles suggested as the backbone for a theory of Arctic justice are reciprocity, generality, transparency and responsibility. Inherently important in the current structure are also the principle of sovereignty and the ‘all affected’ principle, which are discussed and assessed in this chapter.

Offering a unique introduction to the study of justice in the European, North American and Russian Arctic, this collection considers the responsibilities and failures of justice for environment and society in the region. Inspired by key thinkers in justice, this book highlights the real and practical consequences of postcolonial legacies, climate change and the regions’ incorporation into the international political economy. The chapters feature liberal, cosmopolitan, feminist, as well as critical justice perspectives from experts with decades of research experience in the Arctic. Moving from a critique of current failures, the collection champions a just and sustainable future for Arctic development and governance.

In the concluding chapter, we illustrate connections between the different parts of the volume to identify potential areas for deepened engagement among justice theories. The chapter begins by discussing the role of liberalism as a touchstone for theories of justice and the limitations and opportunities this presents for justice theorising. The chapter then explores the connection between more theoretical approaches with those examining actually-existing circumstances of injustice. In doing so, we return to the forms, aspects and realms of justice to highlight how these feature throughout the chapter surveys, to analyse convergences and divergences among the approaches. In ending, the chapter offers a set of tables to help visualise and categorise the different traditions to provide readers a pedagogical resource useful for drawing connections and indicating avenues for future research.

This chapter draws from Indigenous scholars and authors to identify general Indigenous perspectives on justice. The chapter begins by discussing Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies which are concerned with harmonious relations with human and non-human natures. It then examines the function of rights as tools towards realising justice by discussing legal and political literatures regarding the struggle and respect for specifically Indigenous rights to recognition and self-determination. In highlighting a range of perspectives on justice, the chapter suggests that Indigenous approaches to justice critically challenge the western dominance of justice theorising, by expanding alternative ways of understanding what just human/non-human relations can look like.

Centring on responsibility in relation to the temporalities of justice, this chapter examines the distinct qualities of an intergenerational justice approach, as well as noting how it overlaps with other positions (such as climate justice and just transitions). It engages with a variety of issues, such responsibility for the compound effects of cumulative acts of pollution, the non-identity of future beings, as well as prospects for greater youth participation in decision-making. Ohlsson and Skillington highlight the implementation challenges and critique that has been brought forward by intergenerational accounts of justice, where emphasis is placed on actualizing the principles of various international treaties and state constitutions affirming the rights of, or duties owed to future generations, as well as new political and legal opportunities. They conclude by highlighting how an intergenerational justice perspective redefines what has traditionally been thought of as imaginable in justice terms, stretching its boundaries to encompass the ‘not yet’ moment of various democratic potentials.

This chapter introduces readers to the contents of the volume by identifying three categories through which to make sense of the diversity of justice theories. We suggest that thinking about justice through the ‘forms’, ‘aspects’ and ‘realms’ of justice enables readers to concentrate on how and why specific features of justice theories are better applied to problems within traditional social and political science research.

The introduction, apart from presenting the succeeding chapters and connecting them, focuses on the overarching issue of justice – which is deeply interconnected to injustice – in the Arctic, the global, European and circumpolar contexts. In particular, it discusses the complexity of a notion such as justice, where one of the most central understandings includes framing issues of sustainable development as closely connected to issues of justice and justness, but also considers the particular challenges that arise by doing so. By stressing and recognizing the breadth and width of the notion of justice, and the various ways in which justice is commonly understood and the various ways in which the Arctic is defined – varying from more shallow, yet important, signposting or intuitive symbolism to deeper, highly nuanced accounts of oppression and domination – the chapter situates the notion of justice to the themes in the following chapters. The chapter also shows the potential of using justice and injustice as central notions for different analytical perspectives on developments in the Arctic. Hence, the introduction provides an overview of the chapters, contributes a critical discussion of the notions of justice and injustice, and positions this in the unique conditions of the Arctic region.