Globalization and Pandemics: Interrogating the Differential Impact of Pandemics on States

Abstract

The revolutionary interconnectedness of the planet through production flows, trade, technologies and finance representing increased globalization has eased the spread of pandemics. This has integrated the world into a single epidemiological system and resulted in calls for co-operation amongst countries. Despite this, countries’ responses to the outbreak of pandemics have been largely characterized by panic and co-operation has been sacrificed on the altar of national interest.  Pandemics have therefore affected different countries differently. This informs this paper’s task to assess the underlying cause of the differential impacts of pandemics and to proffer plausible solution on how countries, especially the less developed ones can best adapt to the pressures emerging from pandemics in a globalized world. The paper was qualitative and time-series data relating to influenza pandemics, HIV/AIDS pandemic and the Coronavirus pandemic were extracted from secondary sources. Ogban-Iyam’s theory of Social Production and Reproduction was adopted as a theoretical framework for analysis. The study revealed that the emergence of globalization and the resultant ease in the spread of pandemic is a consequence of the social relations that occur in the capitalist production system. It was found that the differences in the impact of pandemics result mainly from the capabilities of states and the degree of sophistication of their productive forces. It was therefore recommended that the best option to ease the adaptation of states to changes posed by pandemics in a globalized world is the development of their productive forces.

Keywords: Globalization, Pandemics, COVID-19, Influenza, HIV/AIDS

ORCID ID: 0000-0002-0473-8825

DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/87-04

Publication date:October 31^st 2020