The Greenlandic Paradox - Greenlandic autonomy under Danish monarchy

Abstract: While the general attitude towards Danish influence in Greenland is negative, the generalattitude towards the Danish royal family is positive. This thesis seeks to uncover theparadoxical Greenlandic discourses by tracing the emergence and development ofroyalism in Greenland from the early colonial period until today. The underlyingmethodological framework is constructivism, while the method is Discourse HistoricalAnalysis. The analysis is conducted by chronologically comparing and analyzing theGreenlandic discourse about the monarchy in relation to the discourse of the monarchfamily concerning Greenland. By drawing on the theories of 'Arctic-orientalism' andPratts' theory of 'contact zones,' this study highlights how variations occur in the colonialrelation of Denmark and Greenland. Despite the legacy of Danish colonialism, thechanges in the Monarch family's discourse towards the Greenlandic people havestrengthened a Greenlandic discourse of kinship to Denmark.