نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی دکتری روابط بینالملل، گروه علوم سیاسی، واحد کرج، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، کرج، ایران
2 عضو هیأت علمی گروه علوم سیاسی، واحد کرج، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، کرج، ایران
3 عضو هیأت علمی گروه علوم سیاسی، واحد تاکستان، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی، تاکستان، ایران
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
On the threshold of the 20th century, the spread of the corona virus indicates a new crisis in the field of collective life, which has transformed many meanings and manifestations of human social life in the domestic and international arenas. Although the world has faced various crises (warming of the air, melting of the polar ice, floods, flooding of agricultural lands, lack of food, immigration, unemployment, refugees, weapons) mass killings, terrorism, natural disasters, spread of poverty) has been faced. However, the spread of Covid-19 has opened another perspective for the present and future of human society in terms of its impact. With the outbreak of the epidemic, public health and political stability were connected and influenced each other. This influence was visible and discussed in a range of domestic and international levels, as well as political and economic fields. Surveys show that fields such as sports industry, social health, philosophy and speech, urban management, various branches of art, political and economic geography, issues of the European Union and the Middle East, and population structure, have each been affected, and have gone through changes. Although the accurate assessment of the effects and consequences of the Corona crisis on the international political economy requires more time, the present study tries to analyze its consequences in various fields of collective life by using the descriptive-explanatory method.
Introduction
Pandemics have historically served as profound disruptions, affecting all aspects of human life—from the arts and political ideologies to economic systems and demographic structures. The COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in the twenty-first century, exposing the fragility of global structures and prompting a reconsideration of long-held assumptions about state sovereignty, global cooperation, and collective security. Unlike previous crises such as climate change, terrorism, or economic recessions, COVID-19’s speed and scale of transmission demanded immediate global attention and action. It not only strained public health systems but also challenged the foundations of international relations by revealing both the strengths and failures of the current state-centric global order. The pandemic blurred the line between national and global issues: local outbreaks rapidly became global emergencies. It demonstrated that in an era of globalization, no nation is immune to cross-border health threats. While nation-states have historically operated within a framework prioritizing sovereignty, COVID-19 revealed the necessity for transnational cooperation and governance. The virus affected virtually every aspect of daily life, from the functioning of cities to the operation of international markets, from refugee crises to internet dependency. As states struggled to balance national responses with international cooperation, the pandemic highlighted deep inequalities and systemic inefficiencies in global governance. This article aims to analyze the political and economic consequences of COVID-19 by examining its impact across various domains of collective life, including political stability, economic systems, public health, urban governance, the arts, and philosophical discourse
Theoretical Framework
This study draws upon interdisciplinary theoretical approaches within international political economy and global health governance. Rooted in critical theory and complex interdependence, it challenges the realist assumption that sovereign states are self-sufficient and security-focused actors. COVID-19 has revealed the insufficiency of traditional Westphalian sovereignty when addressing transboundary threats like pandemics. The global spread of the virus aligns with globalist theories that emphasize the erosion of national borders under the pressure of capital, labor, information, and microbial flows. Moreover, the study utilizes elements of constructivist thought to analyze how the meaning and politicization of health threats are socially constructed and vary across political contexts. Health is no longer confined to the domestic sphere but has entered the realm of high politics, demanding global attention. From this perspective, the pandemic serves not only as a biological phenomenon but as a socio-political event reshaping power structures, redefining state responsibilities, and transforming the legitimacy of international institutions. In line with global governance theory, this work also addresses the role of non-state actors—NGOs, multinational corporations, and international organizations—in shaping health outcomes and influencing political agendas.
Methodology
The research adopts a descriptive-analytical method, combining qualitative content analysis with interpretive approaches. Primary data sources include reports from international organizations, governmental policy documents, academic literature, and media analysis from 2019 to 2022. Secondary sources encompass studies from the fields of political science, economics, and health policy. This methodological approach enables a holistic understanding of the pandemic’s multifaceted consequences. Emphasis is placed on tracing the transformation of key sectors (e.g., sports, philosophy, urban governance, demographic shifts) and on identifying patterns that demonstrate how the pandemic altered international norms and political dynamics.
Results and Discussion
The findings of this study demonstrate that COVID-19 acted as a systemic disruptor, altering not only healthcare systems but also the dynamics of the global political economy. National borders proved insufficient in containing the pandemic, revealing a pressing need for stronger international collaboration. The virus redefined security to include public health and prompted states to reassess their priorities. In regions like the Middle East, the pandemic intensified preexisting vulnerabilities—affecting refugee populations, weakening state institutions, and exacerbating political tensions. Globally, the pandemic reshaped labor markets, reduced economic productivity, and contributed to social unrest. The pandemic also accelerated digitization and reliance on technology, while simultaneously exposing digital divides and infrastructural inequalities. The European Union witnessed challenges to solidarity as member states pursued self-interested responses before returning to coordinated strategies. The arts and philosophical discourse responded with critiques of consumerism and reflections on mortality and collective responsibility. The pandemic’s reach extended even into international security policy, as some states curtailed civil liberties under the guise of public health, raising questions about authoritarian drift. Collectively, these findings reveal how a health crisis evolved into a political and economic transformation, reshaping global order in unexpected ways.
Conclusions and Suggestions.
The paper concludes that future pandemics may provoke even deeper systemic changes, depending on whether states and global actors learn from the COVID-19 experience or return to the status quo. This moment represents a critical juncture for global governance—either toward greater international cooperation or deeper fragmentation. As the world navigates the aftermath, the COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s shared vulnerabilities and the political imperative of solidarity across nations
کلیدواژهها [English]