The effects of COVID-19 on domestic and international security in democratic and authoritarian regimes

Abstract

While numerous studies have examined how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected health care systems, supply chains, and economies, we do not understand how the pandemic has impacted the security of democratic and authoritarian states from a global standpoint. Thus, this study examines how COVID-19 has affected the security of democratic and authoritarian regimes. In conducting a historical, qualitative review of the security effects of the pandemic, we find that COVID-19 significantly affected domestic and international security for democratic and authoritarian states in both similar and varied ways. Additionally, the manner in which states responded to the pandemic was often conditioned by their regime type and by the nature of the governing leadership during the pandemic. These findings have important implications in considering how COVID-19 affected the security of democratic and authoritarian states, how regime type shapes government responses to infectious disease outbreaks, and how democratic and authoritarian states may respond to future pandemics.

Introduction to the Special Issue—COVID-19, international relations, and security studies: Has the pandemic altered the study and practice of international security?

“…Topping et al (2024) set themselves up with the Herculean task of examining the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on domestic and international security in democratic and authoritarian regimes. They investigate various ways the pandemic has impacted topics within both the domestic and international arena concerning regime type.…”

“…Their results offer striking insight into the future of international relations and security studies resulting from pandemics: both democratic and in distinction from Stasavage (2020), authoritarian regimes witnessed increased domestic political instability, protests, and political extremism during the pandemic (Topping et al, 2024, p. 2). Concerning international security, the pandemic led to more protectionist economic policies and aggressive resource allocation of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and manufacturing items from both democratic and authoritarian regimes (Topping et al, 2024, p. 2). Additionally, the pandemic may have led to an increased tension between the USA and China, and their respective allies (Topping et al, 2024, p. 2).…”

“…Concerning international security, the pandemic led to more protectionist economic policies and aggressive resource allocation of medical supplies, including personal protective equipment and manufacturing items from both democratic and authoritarian regimes (Topping et al, 2024, p. 2). Additionally, the pandemic may have led to an increased tension between the USA and China, and their respective allies (Topping et al, 2024, p. 2). Furthermore, in explicitly considering theoretical approaches, Topping et al note that the pandemic seems to have increased great power competition and perhaps more tactical policies in line with balance-of-power theory rather than the more cooperative institutionalist theoretical orientations.…”

“…However, as earlier scholars have concluded (Sterling-Folker et al, 2021), Topping et al note that various theoretical perspectives seem to explain state behavior best, considering which variables and phenomena are being investigated in relationship to the pandemic. They note, “In reviewing the major IR theories and the effect that COVID-19 had on international security in democratic and authoritarian states, no theory appears to fully explain state behavior during the pandemic (Topping et al, 2024, p. 21). Thus, the authors note that ID clearly influences both domestic and international security in both democratic and authoritarian regimes, and the avenues of analysis open to researchers remain diverse and more pluralistic, ensuring a future in IR theory and security studies as the field looks to continue to find policy prescriptions for pandemics and, obviously, more traditionally known existential threats such as war.…”