On the outside looking in? Role location, capability claims, and the EU’s role in the Arctic

New social contexts are constantly emerging in international relations, from international organisations to alliances and regional subsystems. This article asks how international actors can justify their roles in social contexts where their involvement is not established or intuitive. I expand on theories of role location to emphasise the importance of situating capabilities in a social, discursive interface. I argue that aspirant actors locate their role by identifying and positing appropriate social cues and demonstrating their alignment with these in capability claims. I demonstrate this in a case study of the EU’s aspiration for a role in the Arctic region. The EU, as an Arctic aspirant, has faced some resistance from some Arctic partners—but has nonetheless been able to locate a role on the Arctic stage. By analysing the EU’s four strategic policy documents on the Arctic, I uncover arguments used by aspirant actors when attempting to carve out a role in a new social context. The EU’s arguments for a place at the Arctic table build on a particular understanding of challenges and opportunities in the region, and a subsequent identification of relevant capabilities.