History has shown us that the world can look quite different when it comes out the other side of a crisis.
Without a doubt, the challenge of combating the coronavirus will change us in many ways; culturally, how we work, how we study, how we socialize. It'll alter our economies, the way governments behave and how they interact — with both their people and each other.
There's a lot of talk by governments of the "war" on the virus, evoking leaders like Winston Churchill and talking of the need to shift to a "wartime" footing. Enormous sums are being deployed to tide over businesses and individuals, a fair bit of that money borrowed. There will be a long, painful period of recovery and reconstruction.
Governments will have to face up to a fundamental examination of priorities as people rethink what it means to them to feel secure. There will be greater discussion around "personal security," with demands that governments spend more on health and welfare.
The virus has ripped through decades of underfunding of national health systems, with shortages of medical workers and emergency equipment. Voters will want more money to go into medical and scientific research.
As Alan Crawford writes today in this important story, we could see a shift from traditional budgetary priorities like military spending. Entire systems of economic governance could be upended.
For all nations that will be difficult. For some it may be impossible. Iran, Venezuela and North Korea have crippled health services. But their leaders' hold on power is also anchored in a strong military. So how to choose?
— Rosalind Mathieson
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