Authoritarianism in the time of COVID.

Abstract

COVID19 leaves the world in shock and the struggle with the invisible enemy continues around the world. The crisis is seen as an opportunity to prove the resilience of authoritarianism and failure of democratic leadership that could take authoritarian soft power diplomacy to new heights. Competitors to the liberal order are treating the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to exploit for their advantage. It proved the falsity of European "fairy tale" to stand united and extend aid to other countries in dire need of assistance. The COVID-19 pandemic is erupting at a period when totalitarian governments were still threatening liberalism. Now, liberal-order competitors are using the coronavirus crisis as an opportunity to leverage it for their benefit. Yet analysts raise caution that, by hardening authoritarian regimes and eroding stability in certain regions, it may also reshape governance, particularly in vulnerable nations where would-be tyrants have sought to consolidate their power.