But as we should have learned during the post-2008 Great Recession, it costs far more to bail out national economies during a crisis than it does to maintain a proactive approach to public investment. Instead of acting as investors of first resort, far too many governments have become passive lenders of last resort, addressing problems only after they arise. This has been most striking in the developing world, where Vietnam and the Indian state of Kerala stand out. Mass testing and tracking, production of medical equipment, and education during lockdowns have all suffered as a result.īy contrast, countries and states that have invested in their public-sector capabilities have performed much better overall. And in many countries, past cuts to social services and public health have amplified the damage wrought by the pandemic, while other self-inflicted wounds to the state have led to inadequate policy coordination and implementation. LONDON – COVID-19 has exposed the myriad weaknesses of modern capitalism.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |