Government Response Research Articles

The Qing’s central government response to the most severe drought over the past 300 years

The Qing’s central government response to the most severe drought over the past 300 years

A policy window for equity? The American Rescue Plan and local government response

ABSTRACT How have local governments incorporated equity into their investments of state and local rescue funds from the American Rescue Plan Act? We explore the multiple mechanisms localities used to incorporate equity approaches through case studies based on a strategic equity framework of redistributional, procedural and conceptual equity. We identify the importance of political will, planning and strategic partnerships with community agencies and businesses to experiment with new initiatives, and feedback loops with higher levels of government for policy change. Equity was often hidden in program design, rather than explicitly articulated. We find that cities are leading with actions, while values still primarily focus on economic development benefits. However, these actions may subtly shift values toward a broader conception of the local government role in advancing equity.

A qualitative approach in comparing six cities toward a resilient response plan: COVID-19 and inequalities

COVID-19 has dramatically affected financial markets, economies, and societies worldwide and exposed pre-existing inequalities in cities. This work aims to understand the inequalities in some cities worldwide, their reasons and circumstances, and impacts to drive lessons for future prevention, intervention, and post-catastrophe/ hazard plans such as COVID-19 that would raise resilience and decrease damages. Six major cities were included in the analysis and contrasted based on specific assessment criteria. The study included the impact of the pandemic on the economy and the government's responses global crisis. Additionally, newfound measures and technologies developed to control the hazard, including the community's response and cooperation to solving the issue were explored. The outcomes of this work shed a light on problems to be addressed in the future towards enhances the resilience of cities pre- and post- global crisis. Through the comparisons made in this paper, conclusions regarding the cities' successful combat against COVID-19 were drawn. According to the comparative analysis, it became apparent that poverty, culture, and governance are primary factors that control the success of states under emergency. Moreover, it is understood that technology is a significant factor in combating pandemics and health emergencies as large as COVID-19, especially for tracking and monitoring.

Pandemic policies and sleeping problems in older adults.

Sleep quality is fundamental to physical and mental health. Recent research shows that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected individuals' sleep quality. This study aims to investigate whether the containment and health policies (Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker indexes) adopted by European countries and Israel during the pandemic are related to sleep problems in people aged 50 and over. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a logistic regression analysis based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, collected in 27 European countries and Israel, in 2021. The results show that containment and health policies affect older adults' sleep, once we neutralise the influence of the sociodemographic, economic, and health characteristics of the individuals and close contact with COVID-19. In fact, the more containment and health policies, the fewer chances of sleep problems. A possible explanation for this is that these policies give people over 50 a sense of safety and security in relation to COVID-19, which may reduce sleep problems.

Time series analysis of COVID-19 stringency measures on the spatio- temporal dynamics of air pollution

Introduction: Execution of COVID-19 lockdown measures caused variations in air pollution worldwide. This paper investigates the impact of COVID-19 stringency measures on the spatio-temporal dynamics of air pollution in Mumbai, India, using a comprehensive two-and-a-half-year pandemic period dataset. Materials and methods: We classified the pandemic period into 7 phases and 21 sub-phases based on the severity of the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) Stringency Index (SI). Optimized Hotspot analysis (OHS) and Ordinary Least Square Regression models explored the spatio-temporal fluctuations and the effect of stringency measures on air quality. Results: The R2 value varied; with the best model R2 of 0.61 for Particulate Matters (PM10) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and lowest of 0.23 for Sulfur dioxide (SO2). A 10-point increase in SI caused a 3-7% reduction in air pollutants. Substantial reduction in average PM10, PM2.5, NO2, and Carbon monoxide (CO) was observed throughout the COVID-19 phases. Meteorology and SI collectively caused maximum reduction of 82.6%, 72.7%, 53.8%, 52.2%, 49.1%, 28.4% for NO2, PM2.5, PM10, NH3, CO, and SO2 respectively, during complete or extreme lockdown phases. Except SO2, seasonality significantly influenced the pollutant concentrations. Winter was the worst period while monsoon was the best. OHS identified central Mumbai wards as hotspots and areas close to the national park as coldspots. Conclusion: PM10, NO2 and CO were more affected by SI measures than NH3 and SO2. For a rapid emergency response to high PM10, implementation of SI, very high (≥ 80 score) and above is advised. Findings of this study have significant public health policy implications, especially among global south nations.

Socio-spatial insights into evictions governance and tenant movements during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic effects have served to thrust rental housing insecurity into the public spotlight. Documenting the extent of pandemic displacement in the City of Ottawa and province of Ontario, Canada, this article provides insight on evictions governance, urban marginality, and social struggle. The socio-legal developments surrounding pandemic evictions offer a compelling case in which to analyze the governance of urban marginality in its various intricacies. During the pandemic, the Ontario government passed legislation to protect tenants from eviction, yet also passed legislation that criminalized tenants organizing against evictions. Tenants engaged in informal actions to stop evictions were met with the threat of formal legal sanctions; evictions moratoria—as a mechanism of care—were coupled with punitive forms of urban marginality governance, such as through evictions tribunals and the criminalization of dissent. Using a mixed-methods approach, we temporally and spatially map the scale and measure the impact of pre- and post-pandemic evictions—documenting that evictions tend to occur in areas with high core housing need and racialized neighbourhoods. We also examine the emergence of new social movements to fight displacement and assess the varied government and landlord responses—including evictions moratoria, tribunal eviction blocks, and the criminalization of tenant organizing.

Survive, revive, and thrive: The impact of COVID-19 on global park visitation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had detrimental effects on both the physical and psychological well-being of individuals. Throughout the pandemic and in response to various policies, such as lockdowns, movement restrictions and social distancing measures, parks and greenspaces received renewed attention as people used them to help cope with the adverse effects of the pandemic. This study explored the factors influencing park and greenspace visitation at different stages of the pandemic in 2020, 2021, and 2022, from both global and regional perspectives. Data were collected primarily from Our World in Data, Google's Community Mobility Reports and the Oxford Coronavirus Government Response Tracker, and a total of 125,422 park visits were processed. Stay-at-home mandates, vaccination availability, and school closures were the most influential factors globally affecting park and greenspace visitation in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Post-2021, vaccination-related policies began to play a significantly positive role in the increase in park and greenspace visits. Following a global analysis, countries were categorized into five clusters based on social, economic, and cultural indices. The analysis revealed varying patterns of factors influencing park visitation across these clusters. Notably, income support policies were positively correlated with higher park visitation, particularly in low-income countries. Recognizing the significance of parks and green spaces as essential green infrastructure, this study suggests how the use of parks might have better coped with the COVID-19 pandemic and how future health crises might be addressed. At the same time, it considers different social, economic, and cultural contexts. Additionally, this work provides insights and suggestions as to how parks and greenspaces might be used to reduce the social inequalities exacerbated during the pandemic, especially in low-income developing countries.

The capacities of local government in early response to Covid 19: Evidence from South Korea

IMPACT The pressure on local governments to address complex local issues is increasing worldwide. In emergencies like the Covid 19 pandemic, the role of local governments as primary on-site responders is essential. Focusing on the Covid 19 responses of South Korean local governments, the authors found that the relative importance of local leader’s capabilities and local infrastructure varies across early disaster response phases. In the short to medium term, when quick decision-making is needed, the capabilities of local leaders are critical. In contrast, during the long term, local infrastructure plays a greater role in managing prolonged crises.

Examining Monetary Policy Measures and Their Impacts during and after the COVID Era: OECD Perspectives

Governments worldwide implemented various fiscal and monetary measures to address the adverse impacts of COVID-19 on their economies. The paper aims to examine the changes in the monetary policy measures due to COVID-19 and their impact on macroeconomic variables. To explore this relationship, this study utilizes fortnightly data from 2020 to 2023 on the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The study employs a Panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) model to analyze the effects of the monetary policy responses of the OECD governments, and the obtained results reveal that within OECD countries, the prevailing trend of lower interest rate policies emerged during the pandemic. This policy approach yielded a dual effect: lowering both output growth and inflation rates, while concurrently exacerbating unemployment rates throughout the COVID-19 period. Consequently, it is clear that monetary policies have played a pivotal role in facilitating the recovery from a profound economic shock such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the significant economic repercussions of a pandemic and the crucial role that monetary policy plays in sustaining economic stability, the apparent lack of attention underscores the urgent necessity for additional discourse on this vital subject.

Revisiting the resource curse: Does volatility matter?

AbstractCountries with abundant natural resources often possess greater wealth, yet the impact of these resources on economic growth remains unclear. This paper examines how natural‐resource abundance and its volatility impact economic growth. It questions whether natural resources themselves are a curse or if the negative growth effects are due to the volatility of natural‐resource revenues. The study also investigates how volatility of natural resources affects key economic growth channels, such as investment, human capital, and institutional quality. Using the standard panel model and panel smooth transition regression (PSTR), the paper analyzes data from 125 countries (1988–2020). Results show that natural‐resource abundance boosts economic growth, contradicting the resource‐curse theory. However, the growth impact is non‐linear and varies with natural‐resource volatility. Countries with high volatility face up to a 22 percentage point annual GDP growth loss compared with those with low volatility, suggesting that volatility and poor government responses drive the resource‐curse paradox, not the abundance of resources per se.

Epidemic outcomes following government responses to COVID-19: Insights from nearly 100,000 models.

Government responses to COVID-19 are among the most globally impactful events of the 21st century. The extent to which responses-such as school closures-were associated with changes in COVID-19 outcomes remains unsettled. Multiverse analyses offer a systematic approach to testing a large range of models. We used daily data on 16 government responses in 181 countries in 2020-2021, and 4 outcomes-cases, infections, COVID-19 deaths, and all-cause excess deaths-to construct 99,736 analytic models. Among those, 42% suggest outcomes improved following more stringent responses ("helpful"). No subanalysis (e.g. limited to cases as outcome) demonstrated a preponderance of helpful or unhelpful associations. Among the 14 associations with P values < 1 × 10-30, 5 were helpful and 9 unhelpful. In summary, we find no patterns in the overall set of models that suggests a clear relationship between COVID-19 government responses and outcomes. Strong claims about government responses' impacts on COVID-19 may lack empirical support.

Qualitative research during the COVID19 pandemic: the impact of remote research on the collaborative production of methodological knowledge

ABSTRACT During the COVID19 crisis, school closure was a frequent feature of Government responses. The Children’s School Lives (CSL) national cohort study of primary schooling in Ireland had to be adapted and transferred online as an interim response to the unprecedented impact that the pandemic had on the research environment. Adapting longitudinal qualitative research in response to a global pandemic brought specific challenges. In addition to moving data collection to remote methods, longitudinal studies also needed to maintain a focus on retention of research participants and sustain an analysis that informs the longitudinal design of the study. Based on reflective research practice during the COVID19 pandemic and through the collaborative production of methodological knowledge, this paper contributes to the literature on remote research during times of crisis. However, it also extends this literature as the methodological learning can be applied beyond the very particular circumstances of a pandemic.

What is the role of scientists in meeting the environmental challenges of the twenty-first century?

We live at a time of rapid and accelerating biodiversity loss and climate change that pose an existential risk to the environment, humanity, and social justice and stability. Governmental responses are seen by many citizens, including scientists, as inadequate, leading to an increase in civil protests and activism by those calling for urgent action to effect change. Here we consider the role(s) of scientists in responding to those challenges and engaging with policy given that when a scientist moves into political advocacy, reflecting their values and preferences, their objectivity and the value of scientific opinion may be seen as compromised. We then consider whether institutional setting and career stage may affect decisions to engage with policy or activism. Against this backcloth, we ask whether it is sufficient for scientists to act as impartial 'brokers' in societal decisions, arguing they should consider acting as 'Honest Advocates' in policy formation in some circumstances. Such advocacy can contribute to decision-making in a purposeful, well-informed manner, doing societal good without damaging the reputation of science. We encourage scientists to each reflect on their multiple roles in addressing the environmental challenges of our time.

‘Ski masks’, spectacles and solidarity: Mainstream Irish media representations of housing activists and activisms

This article demonstrates how Irish mainstream media supports the neo-liberal policy responses of successive governments in relation to housing through a particular focus on how housing organizers, activists and movements are framed. We suggest here that this framing facilitates the maintenance of binaries of both ‘acceptable’ and ‘unacceptable’ homelessness and the associated actions which challenge the housing crisis, which in turn compromises the ability for broad-based coalitions of solidarity to be mobilized.

African Traditional Medicine as a COVID-19 treatment and the South African Government response

African Traditional Medicine as a COVID-19 treatment and the South African Government response

The dynamics embedded in COVID-19 pandemic responses in South Africa: Implications for public healthcare delivery

South Africa recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases and deaths in Africa despite having what seemed to be one of the best government response mechanisms on the continent. This paper explores the responses of both the government and the citizens of South Africa to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a literature review, the study established that the government's response to the pandemic was influenced by various factors, including the responsibility to protect citizens' lives, the need to defend the state's sovereignty, and compliance with global health imperatives. This was achieved through strict and coercive government measures, which left little room for public participation in decision-making. The findings also indicate public dissent towards government directives, which may be attributed to a lack of public awareness and preparedness in public health emergencies. The social contract theory provides a useful framework for analysing and understanding the actions of the government and citizens in response to COVID-19 in South Africa. Understanding these aspects is crucial for drawing informative lessons for effective public health and socio-economic interventions in future pandemics and health-related emergencies.

How to Respond? The Impact of Government Response on Emotions in Emergencies from the Perspective of Configuration

Relieving the emotions of the public through government response is an important part of government emergency management. How governments respond in different situations can avoid stimulating negative emotions during emergencies? This paper analyzes the problem from the perspective of configuration; that is, this paper explores the combined effects of multiple factors on emotions. We construct the theoretical framework “Situation-Responder-Content” from situation, responder and response content, and use the government microblogs (n= 1517) from 23 major production accidents in China for the discussion with the use of fuzzy set qualitative comparison analysis (fsQCA). According to the results, the effective response types of different agencies in emergencies are summarized. Local authorities can respond in ways that include “Measures type” and “Measures-Emotion type”. Functional agencies can respond through “Measures type”, “Measures-Emotion type” and “Government feature-Driven” type. This study emphasizes that government response in emergencies is a systematic process. Responsive agencies need to release effective information on the basis of fully considering the situation and other factors. Configuration analysis should also be an important direction in government response research, which is helpful to the practice of government response in emergencies.

Testing influences of openness, conscientiousness, nationalism, media diversity, social class, and informational echo chambers on support for official responses to COVID-19 in Wuhan in November, 2020.

As the COVID-19 pandemic raged, controversies about governmental responses to the epidemic also emerged in China. Previous studies mainly described the phenomenon of individual differences on support for governmental responses to COVID-19 with less attention to the underlying causal mechanisms. Thus, this study tries to verify the factors influencing public support for official behaviors in COVID-19. A questionnaire survey was drew on in Wuhan city during the COVID-19 outbreak. The quota sampling method was adopted according to the gender and age structure of the population in Wuhan as well as the educational structure of the urban population in China. Through structural equation analysis, this study confirms that personal factors (namely conscientiousness and nationalistic ideology), behavioral factors (namely media diversity and echo chamber acts) exert significantly positive impacts on support for governmental responses. The echo chamber acts play important mediating roles in the relationship between each independent variable and support for governmental responses. The originality of this study is that it constructs a comprehensive model of influencing factors of support for governmental responses with the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors. While contributing insight to political attitude in China, the research results also have significance for promoting public trust and constructing healthy public opinion in China.

Financial worry and government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in 88 Countries: Did public confidence in National Governments matter?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments implemented various measures to control the spread of the virus, enhance healthcare systems, and mitigate the economic impact of these actions. In this study, we investigate how government responses to COVID-19, in terms of stringency and economic support, affected individuals' financial worries in 88 economies. We also investigate how the relationship between these variables was affected by the public’s confidence in the government. Our results suggest that greater stringency was associated with increased financial worry, irrespective of public trust in the government. Meanwhile, the impact of economic support policies varied with the level of public trust in the government. In countries where citizens reported high levels of confidence in their government, economic support to households helped to alleviate financial worry. In countries with low confidence levels, the support policies had no statistically significant impact.

Covid-19, State Effectiveness, and Core Values of Political Morality

Abstract There are three main failures that occurred during Covid-19 which relate to critical aspects of what Jeremy Waldron has referred to as the constellation of political values or ideals constituting the core of our political morality. These include questions of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. To analyze how these values were affected by Covid-19, this article begins with an overview of what occurred during the Covid-19 crisis. First, I focus on the deliberation and decision-making processes applied during the crisis. Second, I review key aspects of state effectiveness that the experience exposed. Third, I consider the ways government responses affected human rights protections. I then examine these themes through leading theoretical accounts about the critical components of political morality including rule of law, democracy, and human rights. Drawing on those theoretical perspectives, I seek to identify the broad causal story about the developmental process through which rule of law, democracy, and human rights emerge. A critical component of that story is the role of state effectiveness. In the final section, I confront these theoretical and empirical views with key takeaways from governments’ responses to Covid-19 from the standpoint of Waldron’s constellation of values of democracy, human rights, and rule of law. In conclusion I consider the implications of this understanding for the theory and practice of law and development.