Post-COVID-19 World and Trajectories of a Crumbling World Order

Abstract

The pandemic poses the severest jolt to the U.S.-led international order, including the retraction of the United States from previously held global leadership. The extraordinary economic and medical response in the developed and opulent countries is simply not at hand for many developing countries. With COVID-19, international and multilateral bodies are not anywhere on the scene. Regional institutions such as the AU (African Union) and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) are often treated as weak, lacking the habit of cooperation and under-resourced to address the pandemic. Globally, societies could turn into more self-seeking and inward-looking eventuating in further pushback against liberal policies in respect of migration and refugees. Absence of basic resources, lack of well-functioning and efficient healthcare systems, and the dearth of well-organised communication channels indicate inefficiency in the war against COVID-19. A concerted effort across each and every sector and discipline responsible for health is urgently called for in this grim hour.