Research
The Equality Virus: The Ideological Outcomes of the Covid-19 Pandemic for the Welfare State and Social Policy
Author:
Devraj Singhania
Sciences Po, FR
About Devraj
Undergraduate student at Sciences Po, Paris or Institut d'études politiques de Paris.
Abstract
Wars, pandemics and depressions are large-scale macroeconomic events which have lasting impacts on ideology and institutions of a country or the world. The paper analyses the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the ideological preferences of states and individuals regarding their welfare apparatus and social policy. It first compares examples of large-scale historical events with the Covid-19 pandemic and contextualises their social-democratic effects to elaborate the effects of the pandemic. Next, the paper demonstrates the ideological outcomes on policy and public narrative through a close study of the American case. The sharp turn in favour for larger government and social protection is argued based on the existing political realities and public opinion. Lastly, arguing possible trajectories of the welfare state after the pandemic, the paper refutes the idea of the neoliberal agenda dominating social policy in the future. The degree of shift towards greater welfare and social protection may vary from country to country, but the need for social protection by the state has never been more transparent than with the onset of the pandemic.
How to Cite:
Singhania, D., 2022. The Equality Virus: The Ideological Outcomes of the Covid-19 Pandemic for the Welfare State and Social Policy. LSE Undergraduate Political Review, 5(1), pp.142–162.
Published on
19 Apr 2022.
Peer Reviewed
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