The coronavirus, the Covid-19, has made waves around the world. Indeed, no one from the lowest to the highest status has been able to escape Covid-19’s terror. The novel coronavirus has not only affected the global health systems and economies, but it seems to have left its mark on every aspect of world human civilization.
Some see Covid-19 as merely linked to the underlying health system, while others see it as linked to a worldwide economy. After all, the disease seems to have a heavy impact on health systems around the world. Even a powerful country like the United States is losing ground to the virus. The severity of the disease can be understood by not being able to find a cure and vaccine for a long time. Recently, Russia claims that it has developed a vaccine for COVID-19 but we are not sure when it will be commercialized.
Apart from the health sector, Covid-19’s impact on the economy is the biggest in the world. How can the economy grow and develop when the world is in a state of stagnation for a long time? The inability of various components of the economy to move has now seriously affected every sector. Since the economy is also linked to physical development, social upliftment, and all the spheres of life, the impact of the coronavirus is immeasurable.
These days, not only people have fallen ill but many have lost their lives. A number of people still continue to get infected and succumb to death. Although the spread of coronavirus infection is said to have stopped in some countries and particular places, it has not come to a halt in all directions. People around the world are still fighting against corona, using self-confidence as medicine, and social distance as the perfect weapon. Some countries in Europe have declared an emergency over the second round of the deadlier virus.
In the current context, World War III is believed to be taking place against Covid-19. The two great world wars that preceded it were fought by countries around the world divided into two groups, namely the allies and the axis. But this war can be considered even more terrible than those wars because at present the countries and governments of the world are on one side and the invisible coronavirus on the other side. Yet, the world is helpless.
While we call the campaign against corona World War III, one thing that must be acknowledged is that it will certainly play a role in maintaining a balance of political power in the world. The effects of the coronavirus pandemic can be estimated to be very negative, if slightly positive. Its impact, no matter how negative it is, will open up new possibilities in every field.
With the end of Covid-19, a new center of political power is sure to emerge in the world. So far the global politics is concerned; it will affect every sector and level. The change of power seen in different countries of the world and their governments will establish a new equilibrium of power. With the end of World War II, the fact that the United States had emerged as a new powerhouse in the world is clear to us. Signs of a possible change in politics can be felt in the world right now.
The strongest argument and reason for the change that might be seen in world politics is the current steps or campaigns taken by the leaders of different countries and governments against the coronavirus. What matters most is which country adopts which strategy. Let’s not talk about the world for a moment, let’s take a small marginalized country in the third world. The people are weighing the policy taken by the government, and the relief packages and programmes brought there. Let’s talk about Nepal, for instance. How come people spontaneously took to the streets in Nepal because of the government’s negligence and carelessness? There is a rush for change of leadership in the government at different intervals. At the backdrop of COVID-19, the ruling party NCP is on the verge of fragmentation. It remains to be seen what far-reaching impact this will have on Nepali politics.
The various problems that arise in any country will be the key factor in the change of political power. Poverty and unemployment are on the rise around the world due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The only risks these problems are likely to cause in the near future are hunger and disease. Such problems, which seem to be rampant in society, will become a new issue or agenda for political parties. Be it in Nepal or elsewhere, the political parties will arrive with new reassurances and dreams among those who are crippled by poverty and bankrupt. This has kept alive the possibility of a significant political shift.
International trade and non-profit cooperation and investment in the world were at a standstill some times before. The world economy has just resumed breathing after a long silence. Many countries tried to implement travel bans and lockdowns at a time when the world needs to unite in research on vaccines and drugs against coronavirus. Instead of balancing tourism and international trade, nations are becoming more centralized against the concept of globalization. Due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic, the ongoing geopolitical fragmentation has reached its highest point.
In particular, the devastation by the Covid-19 has led all countries to become self-reliant, but in such a dire situation, the role of the world’s most important and large regulatory bodies and intergovernmental organizations seems weak and ineffective. At this time, the legitimacy of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization, has been questioned. Last April, in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, US President Donald Trump announced that he would cut off US aid to the World Health Organization. It also proves that the World Health Organization (WHO) has failed to play a parental role in the world.
We’ve already seen the example of how world politics was divided due to COVID-19 at the very initial phase of its emergence in Wuhan, the sprawling capital of Central China’s Hubei province. The West called the COVID-19 an “Asian” disease. The United States and China have been at loggerheads over this. The US president not only called the coronavirus a “Chinese virus”, but also called it a strategy by China to eliminate the United States. Similarly, China accused the US of creating the virus artificially in a lab and of spreading it to China to eliminate it. The ongoing trade war between these giant countries gave room for each of them to have suspicion over each other. The United States banned citizens of some European countries that have good relations with China from visiting the United States. This includes the impact of the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU). Trump openly opposed China’s travel ban and strict lockdown model implemented to contain the spread of the virus. It was the time when “Tweet Diplomacy” flourished to the fullest. Trump’s anti-China policy triggered the infection of Covid-19 and aggravated the situation further in the US. His move against coronavirus and China put his political career at stake. As a result, Trump was defeated by Joe Biden in the presidential election. This proves that COVID-19 is not merely a disease; it is a carrier of possible changes in world politics.
Health policy became the main issue in the US presidential election. From health insurance to hospital, doctor, bed, and patient ratios, the United States of America was weaker than some countries, including Germany. Democratic candidate Joe Biden’s policy on health was in line with the “health for all” policy of his former rival Bernie Sanders. In that sense, it is the coronavirus that has laid the new groundwork for the Democratic Party there.
In fact, the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is widespread and serious. While Corona’s influence in the world political arena is waning, its role in the balance of power and change of power cannot be ignored. Whatsoever, the disease has taught us all a good lesson. Not only in the conduct, habits, or daily life of the common man, but it is also directed the leaders and policy-makers in what the future health system in the world should be like and what kind of health policy should be adopted.
- By Bhanu Bhakta Bista
Chandragiri, Kathmandu
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