COVID-19 and Conflict: Major Risks and Policy Responses
Dominic Rohner
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic entails a medium- and long-run risk of heightened political conflict. In this short essay we distinguish four major consequences of COVID-19 that may fuel social tensions and political violence, namely i) spiking poverty, ii) education under stress, iii) potential for repression, and iv) reduced inter-dependence. After discussing them in turn, we will formulate policy recommendations on how to attenuate these risks.
Topics & Concepts
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)PovertyPandemicPolitics2019-20 coronavirus outbreakPolitical scienceSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Development economicsPsychological repressionPolitical economyEconomicsVirologyMedicineLawBiologyPathologyGeneOutbreakInfectious disease (medical specialty)BiochemistryGene expressionDiseaseAgricultural risk and resilienceEmployment and Welfare StudiesIncome, Poverty, and Inequality