State–Society Relations around the World through the Lens of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Rapid Test

The book explores state-society relations during the COVID-19 pandemic through case studies from the Global South and Global North, highlighting the impact of political choices, histories of state treatment, and elite orientations on pandemic governance. It will appeal to scholars and students interested in pandemic government from a social scientific perspective.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 04 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in state-society relations,spanning from the initial governance responses to the widespread vaccine rollouts. To explore this complex phenomenon,a comprehensive collection of case studies has been assembled,with a particular focus on the Global South. This book encompasses chapters on various countries,including Angola,Zimbabwe,South Africa,Bolivia,Argentina,Brazil,Jamaica,and Indonesia,along with contributions from the Global North,such as Sweden,Canada,Czech Republic,and New Zealand.

The collection underscores the importance of examining the regional and local contexts in which states and societies encountered the pandemic. Contributors delve into diverse themes,such as the nature of contemporary democracy,state capacity,the legitimacy of state institutions,trust in government,social solidarity,and the forms and consequences of inequality. Each chapter analyzes the underlying forces and structures that emerge when the authority of the state is exerted upon the agency of citizens during emergency conditions. By contextualizing pandemic governance within the historical backdrop of each country or region,contributors highlight how political choices,historical patterns of state treatment of citizens,and the orientations of a region's elites shaped the state's actions.

This book offers valuable insights to those seeking to comprehend the diverse interpretations,acceptance,or contestation of the pandemic at the local (national or sub-national) level. It appeals to scholars and students interested in pandemic government from a social scientific perspective,particularly those with an interest in perspectives from the Global South. The collection provides a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives,enabling a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that unfolded during this unprecedented global crisis.

Weight: 428g
Dimension: 156 x 235 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032343259