Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies

This study uses a welfare state lens to examine disparities in Covid-19 infections and mortality rates between countries in Eastern Europe compared to West European democracies. Expanding on Esping-Andersen’s typology of welfare regimes, the authors compare six country groups to conduct a multivaria...

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Main Authors: Nikolova Kristina, Bejan Raluca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: De Gruyter 2022-12-01
Series:Comparative Southeast European Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1515/soeu-2021-0066
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author Nikolova Kristina
Bejan Raluca
author_facet Nikolova Kristina
Bejan Raluca
author_sort Nikolova Kristina
collection DOAJ
description This study uses a welfare state lens to examine disparities in Covid-19 infections and mortality rates between countries in Eastern Europe compared to West European democracies. Expanding on Esping-Andersen’s typology of welfare regimes, the authors compare six country groups to conduct a multivariate statistical analysis that, when controlling for economic and health differences, shows the number of cases and deaths per 100,000 to be significantly higher for Eastern Europe. In comparing First, Second, and Third Wave data, the difference in Covid-19 infections and mortality rates can be explained through stricter lockdown measures implemented in the East at the start of the First Wave. Overall higher numbers in the East reflect comparatively looser state measures in response to the Second and Third Waves as well as the lack of trust in government and the weak implementation of public health measures.
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spelling doaj-art-e933141f4aa74f86a3a1268e483c0cc82025-08-20T01:47:42ZengDe GruyterComparative Southeast European Studies2701-81992701-82022022-12-0170468672110.1515/soeu-2021-0066Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western DemocraciesNikolova Kristina0Bejan Raluca1School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Windsor, CanadaSchool of Social Work, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, CanadaThis study uses a welfare state lens to examine disparities in Covid-19 infections and mortality rates between countries in Eastern Europe compared to West European democracies. Expanding on Esping-Andersen’s typology of welfare regimes, the authors compare six country groups to conduct a multivariate statistical analysis that, when controlling for economic and health differences, shows the number of cases and deaths per 100,000 to be significantly higher for Eastern Europe. In comparing First, Second, and Third Wave data, the difference in Covid-19 infections and mortality rates can be explained through stricter lockdown measures implemented in the East at the start of the First Wave. Overall higher numbers in the East reflect comparatively looser state measures in response to the Second and Third Waves as well as the lack of trust in government and the weak implementation of public health measures.https://doi.org/10.1515/soeu-2021-0066public health policycomparative policycovid-19pandemic welfare
spellingShingle Nikolova Kristina
Bejan Raluca
Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
Comparative Southeast European Studies
public health policy
comparative policy
covid-19
pandemic welfare
title Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
title_full Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
title_fullStr Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
title_full_unstemmed Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
title_short Welfare States and Covid-19 Responses: Eastern versus Western Democracies
title_sort welfare states and covid 19 responses eastern versus western democracies
topic public health policy
comparative policy
covid-19
pandemic welfare
url https://doi.org/10.1515/soeu-2021-0066
work_keys_str_mv AT nikolovakristina welfarestatesandcovid19responseseasternversuswesterndemocracies
AT bejanraluca welfarestatesandcovid19responseseasternversuswesterndemocracies