Maintaining balance in isolation: Work,values and moral debt in a French Antarctic expedition

Abstract

This article examines the social dynamics of Antarctic expeditions from the perspective of balance and moral debt. Based on 15 months of participant observation during the Dumont d’Urville’s TA70 expedition, it shows how cohesion and reciprocity are essential for adaptation in conditions of extreme isolation. Disruptions to the balance, resulting from conflicts or external pressures, cause winterers to adopt compensatory strategies which, although stressful, also promote creativity and resilience. The study contrasts institutional and individual definitions of a “high-performing” crew, highlighting the relative nature of crew success. By analysing informal norms, group dynamics and lived experiences of hierarchy, this anthropological research contributes to interdisciplinary debates on isolated and confined environments. It offers insights into how humans maintain cooperation under duress, providing comparative perspectives that can inform resilience strategies in other extreme contexts.