COVID-19 and Democracy: Governance or Pandemic to Blame
written by Thea Babani
Governments and leaders are faced with an unforeseeable predicament. Sovereignty and leadership are now determined by a leader’s pandemic response. While COVID-19 plagues and disrupts economies globally, democratic liberty and engagement remain questionable (Belin and De Maio 2020).
Dependability on technology and science is contingent; information is actively revised to enmesh with COVID-19’s viral evolution. Undoubtedly, with the viral disease, it leaves democratic system to determine its efficiency. COVID-19 threatens democracy in terms of globalisation, unresolved security threats from geopolitical, external and/or domestic affairs, and media transparency (Belin and De Maio 2020). Treatment and resolution toward human right issues have been detrimental for a state’s sovereignty; democracy has not protected but resulted in harsher treatments against migrant workers, refugees, peripheral communities (such as minor ethnic groups, lower socioeconomic classes, et cetera).
Leaders and governments are actively disagreeing on the best strategies to combat the pandemic, leading to minimised veracity to the public. The abuse of transparency is heightened at an exponential level, leaving individuals apprehensive about the pandemic. Misconceptions and false information are forwarded rampantly across social media platforms, possibly to instigate propaganda (Council of Europe [CoE] 2020). With adopted legislation and regulations to prevent opaque journalism, consequences vary in severity per state; Hungary and Russia have adopted laws to imprison journalists for 5 years if falsified information about the pandemic was published; Armenia resorts to deleting false information only (Penninckx 2020). Notably, a survey conducted by Freedom House (2020) revealed that 62% of participants are cynical about trusting their governments and leaders regarding the pandemic data, measures and updates. The intentions behind fabricated and/or secretive information disclosed do not promise optimism — or good premeditation (Vick 2020). Without proper leadership and individual-centric agendas, democracy will serve as a convenient tool for leaders to misuse — undoubtedly, for self benefit.
Is COVID-19 the reason for failing democracy? Not quite.
The reasons and possibilities are not exclusive to the pandemic. With the prevalent and prominent abuse of human rights, revival of authoritarian regimes, persistent cases of fake democracy — it is unimaginable to believe that COVID-19 crippled democracy’s foundations (Stapleton 2020). Leaders preached the glories of democracy with assurance that it will cure nations from poverty; however income disparities remain exponentially high worldwide. Observably, middle income households have experienced financial retrogression or stagnation within a span of 20 years (Kwarta 2020).
Arguably, transitions of power are incoherent with poorly practiced political principles, or ethical values. The quality of democracy remains controversial — whether a state was democratic to begin with. Authoritative state leaders have been reprimanding, assassinating and/or criminalising civilians — despite proclaiming its democracy; leading civilians to question state leaders’ level of accountability. With contemporary political ideologies such as populism and democratic socialism arising, democracy continues to landslide (Norris 2017).
Scholars and state leaders have expressed presentiment for long economic recoveries — possibly more recessions. An ameliorated democracy has not been addressed by scholars; with the rise of populism, democratic socialism and new age political ideologies, perhaps democracy would fulfil its redemption — otherwise, diminish. Prospective vindication that democracy can be salvaged is yet to be determined by state leaders and their practice.
Thea Babani, previously graduated in Early Childhood (specialising in English language and child psychology), now majors in International Relations. With hopes to advocate for child rights, Babani has been a guest speaker at HELP University and has published articles with the Human Rights Pulse.
The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of PHIR-Nott.
