The text discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global politics and society. The pandemic has accelerated existing conflicts, such as rivalry among major powers and the rise of nationalism, while also increasing awareness of shared risks globally. It has spurred calls for rethinking interactions with the planet, strengthening international cooperation, and acting immediately against climate change.
The world post-COVID is uncertain, characterized by either restoring old dynamics or generating new opportunities for global cooperation. The political actions taken now will significantly shape this future. Positive developments include the election of Joe Biden, the European Union's Recovery Fund, and the Brexit agreement, but global inequality, vaccine distribution disparities, and ongoing humanitarian crises indicate a different trajectory.
In the international arena, the era of Biden marks a decline in Western power, increased rivalry, and a greater emphasis on transnational issues. While Trump prioritized rivalry, Biden emphasizes cooperation in response to growing international competition. Biden's inauguration speech hinted at a return to traditional alliances, rejoining the Paris Agreement, and staying in the World Health Organization. He also pledged to lead by example rather than power.
The concept of a summit of democracies raises doubts, as it might be criticized for focusing solely on democratic regimes, overlooking internal dysfunction, authoritarian drifts in democracies, and erosion of rule of law in countries like India, Hungary, Brazil, and the Philippines. Instead, the summit might require reconsidering the "end of history" concept and acknowledging that cooperation with non-democratic regimes may be necessary for addressing global public goods, trade, institutional reform, taxation, and climate change.
In summary, the text highlights the need for effective multilateralism and political action to address global challenges, emphasizing the importance of cooperation and rethinking traditional frameworks in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
