In a prolonged state of emergency or, worse, a permanent ‘war’ against an invisible enemy, authoritarian instincts can kick in like a sleep twitch. As the authors seem to imply, the real ‘apocalypse’ may not be the pandemic itself but the social and political transformations that it may inflict upon our liberal democracies.
Year: 2021
Authors: Velimir Šonje and Kristijan Kotarski
Editor: Antonios Nestoras
ISBN: 978-2-39067-006-3
DOI: 10.53121/ELFPUB0521
The outbreak of the Coronavirus has exacerbated existing socio-economic inequalities and accelerated far-reaching technological transformations. The aftershocks of the virus will be felt for years, regardless of how and when the pandemic will end.
The discussion about state responses to the pandemic was shrouded by a moralistic dilemma. Given the toxicity of the discussions all over Europe and the world, this book intends to re-establish sobriety in the public debate.
The authors examine the external and internal factors which have influenced the decision-making process during the pandemic and the very fundamental values that underlie liberal democracy in Europe. They delve into the Chinese totalitarian model of the coronavirus management and identify five risks associated with the adoption of public policies modelled on the Chinese approach in Europe.