Dawning of Antartica : a geopolitical analysis

Unknown till a few decades ago and ignored for as long the massive continent of Antarctica has now emerged to touch the awareness and ambition of the peoples the world over in varying degrees. Believed to be a reservoir of a variety of fabulous wealth of resources, the full of which has still not been grasped or worked out, the continent is now increasingly considered to be an alternate source of much needed resources fast dwindling elsewhere in the world but desparately needed for the four fifths of the world which is underdeveloped or undeveloped. So far the appropriate techno logy to tap these resources without bruising the delicate ecological balance of the conti nent and its region is not known to have been developed; and the absolutely undisturbed preservation of the ecosystem there is vitally crucial for the lasting survival of the planet earth itself. The peoples of the world will have to devise ways and means to accomodate their covetous, conflicting ambitions in regard to Antarctica and its wealth before they start deriving any benefits from it.

The volume attempts to analyse the emergence and importance of Antarctica for the peoples of the world. A discussion of the postures and policies of the Antarctic system powers is followed by the concern and consequent response of the Third World countries, particularly those of India.