The health, economic and political earthquake caused by the COVID-19 crisis has had repercussions on many levels, including the lines of conflict. To what extent the COVID-19 crisis will upset the established lines of conflict in the EU? Will the crisis lead to a new value-change that redirects from human individualism towards collectivism?
The last decade has been marked by the rise of a number of political actors that have challenged the established parties in Europe. Populist parties have flourished across EU member states, but the health crisis caused by COVID-19 has been a test to many of these parties. Is the corona-crisis a threat or an opportunity for anti-establishment and populist parties, or is it the time for technocrats?
The COVID-19 crisis has also been used in some cases to enforce authoritarian restrictions, touching upon civil liberties and the rule of law. Has the ideological commitment to rule of law suffered in the context of the coronavirus emergency?
There have been examples of transnational solidarity when handling the COVID-19 crisis, which has led in some cases to a wider awareness of inequality in European societies. However, nationalists have also attempted to use the crisis to its advantage. Does the crisis encourage a cosmopolitan perspective and transnational solidarity, or is the crisis an opportunity for nationalists?
Listen to the debate with:
Ben Crum is Professor of Political Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Guest editor.
Heather Grabbe is the director of the Open Society European Policy Institute and director of EU affairs.
Pieter de Wilde is Professor of Political Science at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology.
Moderation: Carlos Carnicero Urabayen.
Technical production and edition: Franco Delle Donne.
An OpenEUpodcast produced by Agenda Pública.
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