Understanding the Politics of Pandemic Emergencies in the time of COVID-19: An Introduction to Global Politosomatics

The book reviews the political significance of COVID-19 in the context of earlier pandemic encounters and scares, arguing that contagious diseases are fundamentally politosomatic and have somatic effects in political expressions that transform the epidemic into national security dramas. It highlights that pandemics tend to be territorialized, nationalized, ethnicized, and racialized, and will be of key interest to scholars and students of global health and governance, pandemic security, epidemics, history of medicine, geopolitics, international relations, and general readers.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 14 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into the profound political implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing upon previous pandemic experiences and scares to understand its challenges to individual health, domestic order, international health governance actors, and, more fundamentally, the circulation-based modus operandi of the present world order. It argues that contagious diseases should be recognized as complex, open-ended phenomena with diverse characteristics, transcending mere biology and epidemiology. These diseases are fundamentally politosomatic, as they disrupt, agitate, and trigger large-scale processes due to individual somatic-level anxieties stemming from their sense of immediate danger through the networks of their local and global connectedness. The author further posits that pandemics have somatic effects in political expressions that transform the epidemic into national security dramas, which should not be treated as extraneous to the disease itself. The book highlights that when a severe infectious disease spreads, it is often externalized into a culturally meaningful foreign entity. Pandemics tend to be territorialized, nationalized, ethnicized, and racialized.

This book holds significant value for scholars and students engaged in the fields of global health and governance, pandemic security, epidemics, the history of medicine, geopolitics, international relations, and general readers with an interest in the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining the political significance of COVID-19 within the context of past pandemics, it provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics that shape our world. The book's comprehensive analysis sheds light on the ways in which the pandemic challenges established norms, institutions, and power structures, and offers a critical examination of the responses and strategies employed by governments and international organizations. Through its multidisciplinary approach, the book fosters a deeper understanding of the multifaceted challenges posed by infectious diseases and their impact on societies. It serves as a valuable resource for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and individuals seeking to navigate the complex terrain of pandemic preparedness, response, and recovery.

In conclusion, this book offers a thought-provoking exploration of the political implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a comprehensive and interdisciplinary perspective. It sheds light on the complex interplay between health, politics, and global interconnectedness, and offers valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. By engaging with the content of this book, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the pandemic's political dimensions and contribute to shaping a more resilient and responsive global community.

Weight: 530g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367769659