COVID19 and Its Global Impact 1
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Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
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docx
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Uploaded by GrandOxide12145
Hanifee, Shelbi D.
Georgia Southern University
INTS-2130-G
Nalanda Roy
11/17/2023
The Affliction:
COVID-19 and Its Impact on International
Politics
COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is a disease caused by a virus called SARS-CoV2,
which presents as a typical respiratory illness such as colds, flu, and even pneumonia. Due to the
virus being not properly diagnosed, it became a global health crisis and quickly became a
complex challenge for international relations and politics. The rise of the pandemic put more
stress on the relationship between nations and introduced a new dynamic to international
diplomacy as countries raced to contain the virus. One of the most significant effects of the virus
is its strain on world relations. Countries initially focused inward, prioritizing their interests over
others, which made developing countries, which were dependent on global trade, vulnerable to
the disease. Even the wealthiest countries were suffering from economic falls with rising
unemployment. The economic impact became unprecedented when the containment of the virus
failed. This sparked a debate between nations about more resilient global health and economic
stability. The pandemic became the pinnacle of political disputes, with countries making
accusations about the origins of the virus. The accusations made by the countries strained
diplomatic relations but also led to a reassessment of partnerships, with countries reevaluating
their foreign policies.
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On December 12, 2019, COVID-19 broke out in Wuhan, China, and quickly became a
global pandemic, disrupting the balance of international relations within the world. This
unexpected viral outbreak was first reported in a patient with symptoms of flu, cold, and
pneumonia but was not adequately treated. Due to the virus being misdiagnosed, it spread rapidly
at first, infecting many until people with compromised immune systems became deceased at an
alarming rate. As countries struggled to contain the virus, the resulting disruption exposed the
weak points in the long-standing international structures and containment protocols and
prompted a reassessment of global partnership within nations. But the pandemic has also
heightened geopolitical tensions, with countries accusing each other of their responses to the
virus, particularly between China and the United States (US).
Relations became strained as accusations and conspiracy theories surfaced, including
China's claim that the US military caused the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. The US faced
criticism for allegedly diverting medical supplies to other countries, raising questions about their
relations and trust during the height of the pandemic. Restrictions on imported and exported
goods were placed on life-saving medical equipment, which was a significant diplomatic
exchange between countries. Additionally, the US pressured India to release
hydroxychloroquine, which was being researched as a treatment for COVID-19. Due to the use
of social media and the World Wide Web, propaganda flooded everywhere about the medication,
and due to the lack of research on the effectiveness of treating COVID-19, it was never issued.
This caused remarkable distrust in other countries, which only stressed the relationship between
nations.
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The economic impact of COVID-19 was deep, impacting economies around the world.
According to the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, the pandemic has had a particularly severe
impact on output and employment growth, especially in countries with middle incomes.
Governments around the world responded primarily by increasing spending and expanding the
money supply. The US began issuing stimulus packages to help soften the economic blow, which
ultimately put upward pressure on prices in the year 2021. The pandemic exacerbated output
growth, unemployment, government debt, and international trade to record levels compared to
WWII. The recovery efforts have also varied globally, reflecting both the economic strength and
the healthcare capacities of different nations.
During the pandemic, various policies were enacted to help combat the virus, such as
containment and closure policies, which caused the closure of schools, public events, any sort of
social gathering, and public transport, and created stay-at-home requirements for certain jobs.
These policies caused a major disruption in the normal procedures of everyone’s life and
increased stress due to limited social interaction.
Fiscal policies with large increases in
government spending, such as stimulus checks, support for local economies, and dramatic central
bank shifts. Changes to the public health system were also established to help screen people for
any potential exposure to the virus. The changes were regular testing regimes, contact tracing,
face covering requirements, vaccination rollout policies, telehealth, and strictly scheduled
appointments limiting foot traffic within hospitals and clinics. A couple of international policies
that were created helped ensure economic stability, addressed rising health and social spending,
and also addressed declining tax revenues due to limited spending.
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The long-term impact of COVID-19 on international relations has been covered in detail
in a variety of sources. The National Center of Biotechnology Information article discusses the
global challenges posed by the pandemic and how governments' responses, while demonstrating
international cooperation, have been competitive and self-centered, raising questions about
international cooperation and relationships. The Carnegie Council article examines whether the
pandemic has changed the nature of international affairs, particularly US foreign policy. When
piecing the articles together, they illustrate a comprehensive view of the diverse impacts of
COVID-19 on global relations, including economic, political, and health perspectives.
In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from being solely a health crisis; it has also
been a pivotal moment for nations altering policies, agreements, and procedures with one
another. The pandemic unveiled concealed geopolitical tensions, redefined economic
dependencies, and prompted a global shift toward new diplomatic strategies and financial
models. The impacts of COVID-19 on international relations were profound and far-reaching,
emphasizing the need for a reconfigured global direction in the post-pandemic era. The
ramifications of COVID-19 set the stage for future developments in international politics,
emphasizing the necessity for adaptable and resilient global systems as well as better
communication between nations in the face of future challenges that lay before us.
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Works Cited
Basrur, Rajesh, and Frederick Kliem. “Covid-19 and International Cooperation: IR Paradigms at
Odds.”
SN Social Sciences
, vol. 1, no. 1, 9 Nov. 2020, pp. 1–10,
https://doi.org/10.1007/s43545-020-00006-4.
Bollyky, Thomas.
A Year Out: Addressing International Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic
. 18
Mar. 2021.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline.”
Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention
, CDC, 16 Aug. 2022,
www.cdc.gov/museum/timeline/covid19.html.
Gvosdev, Nikolas. “Does COVID-19 Change International Relations?”
Www.carnegiecouncil.org
, 17 Mar. 2020, www.carnegiecouncil.org/media/article/does-
covid-19-change-international-relations#:~:text=
%23%20%E3%80%904%E2%80%A0Does%20COVID,the%20nature%20of
%20international%20affairs.
June 24, and 2020. “How COVID-19 Has Changed Public Policy.”
Www.hks.harvard.edu
, 24
June 2020, www.hks.harvard.edu/faculty-research/policy-topics/public-leadership-
management/how-covid-19-has-changed-public-policy.
Martin, Fernando M., et al. “The Economic Impact of COVID-19 around the World.”
Research.stlouisfed.org
, research.stlouisfed.org/publications/review/2023/03/09/the-
economic-impact-of-covid-19-around-the-world.
Our World in Data. “Policy Responses to the Coronavirus Pandemic - Statistics and Research.”
Our World in Data
, 2020, ourworldindata.org/policy-responses-covid.
Yeyati, Eduardo, and Federico Filippini. “Social and Economic Impact of COVID-19.”
Brookings
, 8 June 2021, www.brookings.edu/articles/social-and-economic-impact-of-
covid-19/.
Page | 6
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