The political economic transformation in the post-pandemic era

Abstract

This study tries to examine how the COVID-19 pandemic might affect the nature of international politics as well as the structure of international relations in the years to come. The way the pandemic unfolds and the measures adopted to stem it will likely affect the future of globalization process and the nation-state, the allure of democratic and authoritarian regimes, the future of illiberal populist parties and movements, the attractiveness of alternative moral approaches, the future of European Union integration process and the future trajectory of the geopolitical competition between the United States of America and Peoples’ Republic of China. The policies adopted by American and Chinese governments during this process will strongly affect their respective capabilities to play leadership roles in different aspects of global governance. Even though it is quite popular to argue that nothing will remain the same after the COVID-19 pandemic, this study recommends that analysts adopt a more modest and prudent approach in predicting the future course of international politics. It is still too early to offer ironclad statements regarding the future of international relations.