Coronavirus outbreak affected more than 20 million people worldwide and caused economic, political, and social changes at the same time. The following essay will investigate the long-term global effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as its impact on the social contract between state and citizen, and its influence on vulnerable members of society.
In the long-term perspective, COVID-19 will require governments to expand in response to economic and social problems. The crisis might cause citizens to accept interventionism and the expansion of state responsibilities. The Great Recession of 2008 represented the beginning of these changes in the social contract. Matthew Goodwin claims that in the era of big debt, government policymakers will attempt to increase taxes and public pressure. Although, the new social contract might be different and guarantee income protection for individuals affected by the crisis while taxes would be based on accumulated wealth.
The expansion of the state will have a long-term impact on the working class and marginalized populations who demonstrated their crucial role in the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic. Goodwin suggests that the coronavirus outbreak may result in stronger social solidarity and wage increases. However, I believe that the short-term increase in job insecurity and income inequalities caused by the Great Lockdown will not necessarily lead to improved working conditions and financial stability for vulnerable members of society. The crisis impacted mostly low-income workers who make up 80% of the jobs affected by COVID-19, so vulnerable populations risk being further marginalized after a job loss or wage decrease.
All in all, the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to increase government expansionism and cause changes in the social contract. The changes in taxes would either protect individuals or increase public pressure. Moreover, the coronavirus outbreak might contribute to the marginalization of vulnerable individuals who lost their jobs.