COVID-19 blog

It's fascinating to be living in a time in like this in which we are experiencing an unprecedented pandemic, and I think it really speaks to the interconnectedness of the world in the modern age, and how far developed we've come. This really seems to be one of the first truly global challenges (aside from Global warming) and I think that it will be the start of setting an example of how countries will handle large scale dilemmas in the future. Due to the circumstances of it affecting literally everyone I think that we will begin to see states' dependence on international relations. I also believe that the fight against a common enemy also holds the possibility to drastically strengthen or break different relations (and show whether a more liberalist or realist global ideology will prevail). With the international relations, the dynamics between more and less developed countries will also really show during a crisis like this. We see this in the article discussing the importance of more developed countries donating to less developed countries in order to help their healthcare systems stay afloat and to minimize the inevitable increase in poverty. Now, first there is a moral motive to help fellow man, and further more, an appeal to reputation. Donating will definitely boost legitimacy of independent state in the eyes of both other states and NGO's. Then there's also the functional and more self serving motivation of preventing a resurgence of the disease from the poorer countries that weren't able to properly contain it. Now, there's no question that less developed countries will be doubly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak in all aspects, specifically economic and developmental. This crises has the potential to severely stunt and even revert growing and developing societies and economies. I am specifically curious about how poor countries with economies that rely on tourism (such as Maldives, Aruba, and the British Virgin Islands) will cope. One thing that I've been thinking about is if the Global economy might be able to cop out by exploiting the subjective value of money. I've been wondering if it was hypothetically possible to essentially do something like just allowing all countries to print an more money of all an equal value to try and make reparations from the coronavirus, and if that was done, if it would still cause inflation since it's literally all countries. It's a pretty insane idea, and probably pretty stupid, and never going to happen, but I wonder if, hypothetically, it would be feasible.

Comments

Sayer Charnquist said…
That would likely cause a horrible amount of inflation, it would do much more harm than good, even if it wouldn't be as bad as other incidents of inflation.
March 27, 2020 at 12:02 PM
Izabella Curtis said…
I completely agree that this pandemic is going to start some serious dilemmas with US relations. I've been thinking about how scary it would be if underdeveloped countries begin to contract this virus and how catastrophic it will be once that happens. Considering how careless most people are being lately I fear that these countries are going to have to somehow survive from poverty. Since so many people are at risk and no longer have money/health insurance to cope with the virus one could only imagine the heartbreak. Although I do not know much about inflation rates and how people will react to more money being printed. It is an idea that should be considered, even if it does get shot down I still want to acknowledge you for at least thinking of something. Thank you for your honest intake on this issue and I'm glad I got to read it :) stay safe and wash your hands!!
March 27, 2020 at 1:11 PM
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