The COVID-19 Pandemic and Slovakia: Why Do Results for the First and Later Phases Differ so Much?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2022 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Governance and Politics |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Web | https://www.gp-mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/6/6 |
| Keywords | governance; COVID-19; pandemic; Slovakia; public policy; social policy; health sector |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Slovakia, a small country in Central Europe, was among the most successful countries in combatting COVID-19 during the first phase of the pandemic in the spring of 2020. However, it appeared to be among the least successful states in later COVID-19 phases. The aim of the article is to highlight the specifics of the Slovak COVID-19 case. Why did Slovakia handle the COVID-19 outbreak effectively in the initial phase, and why did it fail later? The positive anti-epidemic results in the first phase were determined by effective government policies (realized during a time of government change) and catalyzed by the high level of compliance demonstrated by citizens. The failures Slovakia faced later are connected with the limited long-term politico-administrative capacity of the state, and politicization of the pandemic that resulted in social non-compliance. Short term success was possible with the mobilization of all actors, but long term success in this country seems to be “mission impossible”. |