“Blue Economy”: Evolution of the Concept and Prospects for the Russian Arctic

The “blue economy” is a popular concept for the development of marine economic activity, implying social and environmental responsibility of its subjects. Key international actors present their strategies and use the “blue economy” as an area of international cooperation. The Russian Federation, despite its national interests related to both the development of the world ocean and the development of the Russian Arctic, does not have the “blue economy” strategy. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the prospects of the “blue economy” for the Russian Arctic. The article describes the origin and evolution of the concept in the international arena and identifies the features of the conceptualization of terminology in the academic environment. The discrepancy in the interpretations of the “blue economy” in both political and scientific discourse is noted. An analysis of the approach to the “blue economy” in key Russian doctrinal documents showed that they enshrine the key measures for the development of the concept. This thesis was confirmed in the course of studying economic processes in the Russian Arctic. The authors point to the promising nature of conceptualizing the Russian approach to the “blue economy” and its doctrinal consolidation. The results of the study can be used as analytical material, as well as for academic purposes — to create an empirical basis for further scientific work on the selected and related topics.