Blue paradigms: understanding the intellectual revolution in global ocean politics.

This article examines the recent "ocean revolution" in global ocean politics, characterized by four key "blue paradigms": maritime security, blue economy, ocean health, and blue justice. Each paradigm offers a distinct understanding of the oceans’ problems, priorities, and communities of practice, shaping divergent approaches to ocean governance. Maritime security focuses on threats such as piracy and interstate disputes; blue economy emphasizes sustainable economic growth and resource use; ocean health prioritizes ecological protection and restoration; and blue justice addresses equitable distribution of ocean benefits and risks, particularly for marginalized coastal communities. The article highlights tensions and fragmentation arising from these differing paradigms and calls for creative strategies to foster synergies and cooperation among their respective actors and policies.