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How Covid 19 Revealed The Politics Of Our Economy Goldsmiths Press Perc Papers

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Published in Unprecedented?: How COVID 19 Revealed The Politics Of Our Economy (Goldsmiths Press / PERC Papers)

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The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the political choices that shape our economy. From the decision to prioritize profits over public health to the failure to provide adequate support for workers and families, the pandemic has exposed the ways in which our economic system is rigged in favor of the wealthy and powerful.

The decision to prioritize profits over public health

In the early days of the pandemic, many governments around the world chose to keep businesses open even as the virus spread. This decision was made in the name of protecting the economy, but it ultimately led to more deaths and economic damage.

Unprecedented?: How COVID-19 Revealed the Politics of Our Economy (Goldsmiths Press / PERC Papers)

by William Davies

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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A study by the University of Chicago found that states that reopened their economies early experienced a 25% increase in COVID-19 deaths. The study also found that these states saw a 15% decline in economic activity, compared to states that kept their economies closed.

The decision to prioritize profits over public health was a political choice. Governments could have chosen to close businesses and provide financial support to workers and families, but they chose not to. This choice led to unnecessary deaths and economic damage.

The failure to provide adequate support for workers and families

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on workers and families around the world. Millions of people have lost their jobs, and many more have seen their incomes reduced. Governments have provided some financial support, but it has not been enough to meet the needs of those who have been affected by the pandemic.

In the United States, for example, the federal government provided a one-time payment of $1,200 to most Americans. This payment was not enough to cover the lost income of many workers, and it did not provide any ongoing support.

The failure to provide adequate support for workers and families is a political choice. Governments could have chosen to provide more generous financial assistance, but they chose not to. This choice has led to widespread hardship and poverty.

The rigged economy

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the ways in which our economic system is rigged in favor of the wealthy and powerful. The wealthy have been able to profit from the pandemic, while the poor and working class have been left behind.

For example, the stock market has reached record highs during the pandemic, even as millions of people have lost their jobs. This is because the wealthy have been able to buy stocks at low prices and sell them at high prices. The poor and working class, on the other hand, have not been able to benefit from the stock market boom.

The rigged economy is a political choice. Governments could have chosen to create a more equitable economic system, but they chose not to. This choice has led to widespread inequality and poverty.

The need for change

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that our economic system is broken. It is a system that prioritizes profits over public health and that fails to provide adequate support for workers and families.

We need to change our economic system so that it works for everyone, not just the wealthy and powerful. We need a system that prioritizes public health, supports workers and families, and creates a more equitable society.

The change will not be easy, but it is necessary. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that we cannot continue to live in a society where the wealthy and powerful are allowed to profit from the suffering of others.

The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the political choices that shape our economy. It has shown us that our economic system is rigged in favor of the wealthy and powerful, and that it fails to meet the needs of the majority of people.

Unprecedented?: How COVID-19 Revealed the Politics of Our Economy (Goldsmiths Press / PERC Papers)

by William Davies

4 out of 5