Authoritarianism Going Viral: Project Syndicate

The Covid-19 pandemic has created the opportunity for leaders with authoritarian tendencies to consolidate power and reduce human rights. Many governments have used the pandemic to discriminate against strongholds of political opponents as well as ethnic, religious or racial minorities. After the virus emerged in China, the government applied coverup efforts and punished whistle-blowers. India’s government gave four hours’ notice for a strict 21-day lockdown. Police and military in Kenya and Nigeria rough up citizens who do not obey social distancing rules. Israel, China and others apply more surveillance tools to track citizen movements. The US Department of Justice has asked for power to detain citizens indefinitely without trial. Hungary’s prime minister pushed a law that “effectively codifies his status as an absolute dictator,” explains Patrick Gaspard for Project Syndicate. Democracies have not spoken out, he noted, “But history shows us that illiberal leaders rarely, if ever, allow their emergency powers to expire.” Since the essay’s publication, Hong Kong arrested 12 democracy activists, and the US president announce plans to suspend some immigration temporarily. The initial response of many leaders who display authoritarian styles was denial, and the subsequent power grabs are counterproductive, undermining trust. As Gaspard also notes, “suppressing press freedoms makes it far more difficult to raise awareness about how the public should respond.” He concludes that public health, democracy and economic strength are intricately connected and require similar defense. – YaleGlobal