For the first time, Liberty Discussion was held in a virtual space amid the Coronavirus lockdown, in April 2020. Keeping in mind one of the most important economic questions of the decade, the article ‘How Will the Coronavirus Reshape Democracy and Governance Globally?’ by Frances Z. Brown, Saskia Brechenmacher and Thomas Carothers was the main subject of discussion.
This session’s main agenda included specifying the roles of civil society and the state during the times of the pandemic, along with the evolution of responsibilities within the government, channeling regulated information towards the public and the economic progress predictions, during and post lockdown.
The article talks both about the downside and the silver linings of major outcomes of the pandemic and the lockdown, it also highlighted the importance of preserving the philosophy of a democratic government in a time when the state is bearing responsibilities while keeping the civilians at bay. The pandemic responses of some countries over others have added to remodifying a number of debates.
This pandemic can also become a test for the local governments, testing its efficiency and capacity. But the civil society itself also needs to walk alongside the government and not behind it. To be aware of the crisis, capacity, and sustainability along with regulating the increased authority of the government are just some of the responsibilities the citizens should take, but may not be aware of.
Beyond the state and its citizens, the news and information flow, right from the use of language to the validity and need of information is essential to maintain to establish a system of trust and faith within a country. Not doing so can lead to blaming games between religions and countries while also pushing forward the idea of extreme nationalism and waving off the need of the world’s most efficient instrument: globalization.
The discussion was also concluded with a question. How we as individuals are likely to respond to the economy post lockdown in the case of productivity.