Global Political Landscape In The Time Of The Covid-19 Pandemic: Realist, Liberal, And Constructivist Perspectives

Indra Kusumawardhana

doi:10.33822/mjihi.v4i2.3439

Abstract

The vast majority of international relations scholars interpret world politics in the era of Covid-19 pandemic in accordance with realism by emphasizing on conflicts and the tendency of states to pursue their national interests. However, contemporary global politics shows complexity that cannot be understood from single perspective. This article seeks to interpret world politics in the era of Covid-19 pandemic using eclecticism approach by incorporating realism, liberalism, and constructivism. This article argues that the lanscape of global politics in the era of Covid-19 pandemic is characterized by three different features; conflicts and the pursuit of national interests, international cooperations based on the mutual benefit, and solidarity to help others dealing with the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. This finding implies that understanding international relations requires interperspective collaboration instead of debates and maintaing theoretical exclusivism.

Highlights

The Covid-19 pandemic is so destructive that many international relations experts project the 21st-century global political landscape
Economic hardship, and dislocation have led leaders to abandon the idea of international cooperation and instead, huddle, close their borders and devise their plans for resilience and recovery” (Zakaria, 2021, p. 201)
UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres declared a global ceasefire amid a pandemic, the fact is that political violence is increasingly widespread in several countries (Mustasilta, 2020a; 2020b)

Summary

Introduction

The Covid-19 pandemic is so destructive that many international relations experts project the 21st-century global political landscape. The pattern of international relations did not change the critical features of relations between countries, namely conflict and collaboration (discord and cooperation). This section will highlight several cases of international conflict related to the Covid19 pandemic.

Results

Conclusion