Covid-19 and democrcy
(2022) In 53 EOSK12 20221Department of Economic History
- Abstract
- This thesis explores the impacts on democracy in the Covid-19 context through a single case study. Specifically, the thesis explores the case of Hungary through the lens of Robert Dahl’s five criteria for democracy. Through this investigation it hopes to contribute to the debate on secondary consequences of the pandemic, by adding to the growing area of research on democracy under the pandemic. A qualitative interpretive method is applied to the single case study design for the purpose of gaining an in-depth understanding of how democracy fared in Hungary in the context of Covid-19. In doing so, the thesis uses a substantial selection of data and sources, including seven extensive interviews with experts within the
fields relating to the... (More) - This thesis explores the impacts on democracy in the Covid-19 context through a single case study. Specifically, the thesis explores the case of Hungary through the lens of Robert Dahl’s five criteria for democracy. Through this investigation it hopes to contribute to the debate on secondary consequences of the pandemic, by adding to the growing area of research on democracy under the pandemic. A qualitative interpretive method is applied to the single case study design for the purpose of gaining an in-depth understanding of how democracy fared in Hungary in the context of Covid-19. In doing so, the thesis uses a substantial selection of data and sources, including seven extensive interviews with experts within the
fields relating to the research. The thesis builds on Levitsky and Ziblatt’s theory of democratic breakdown as its theoretical framework, enabling it to analyze the factors that have accounted for the observed effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on democracy.
Much attention has been given to Hungary as a case of democratic backsliding prior to the pandemic, and there is a widespread view among the international public that Hungary has been systematically subverting democracy and rule of law ever since the ruling Fidesz party won the election in 2010. By investigating the pandemic-democracy relationship in the country, it contributes to research on how a backsliding country have handled the pandemic. The research finds that the Hungarian government have used the pandemic as a pretext to conduct quick, unchallenged promulgation of law, exercise authoritarian measures and promote its own political objectives. The findings also suggest that the gradual suppression of democracy since 2010 seems to have paved the way for further violations of democratic standards observed during the pandemic. It is hoped that the thesis overall will contribute to the understanding of why analyzing consequences on democracy during a crisis is crucial for identifying better policy responses and international regulations, and to hopefully avoid future democratic violations. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9096224
- author
- Torvik Knutsen, Kaia LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- EOSK12 20221
- year
- 2022
- type
- M2 - Bachelor Degree
- subject
- keywords
- Covid-19, Democracy, Democratic Backsliding, Hungary, Autocracy, Human Rights
- publication/series
- 53
- report number
- EOSK12
- language
- English
- id
- 9096224
- date added to LUP
- 2022-08-31 10:28:59
- date last changed
- 2022-08-31 10:28:59
@misc{9096224,
abstract = {{This thesis explores the impacts on democracy in the Covid-19 context through a single case study. Specifically, the thesis explores the case of Hungary through the lens of Robert Dahl’s five criteria for democracy. Through this investigation it hopes to contribute to the debate on secondary consequences of the pandemic, by adding to the growing area of research on democracy under the pandemic. A qualitative interpretive method is applied to the single case study design for the purpose of gaining an in-depth understanding of how democracy fared in Hungary in the context of Covid-19. In doing so, the thesis uses a substantial selection of data and sources, including seven extensive interviews with experts within the
fields relating to the research. The thesis builds on Levitsky and Ziblatt’s theory of democratic breakdown as its theoretical framework, enabling it to analyze the factors that have accounted for the observed effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on democracy.
Much attention has been given to Hungary as a case of democratic backsliding prior to the pandemic, and there is a widespread view among the international public that Hungary has been systematically subverting democracy and rule of law ever since the ruling Fidesz party won the election in 2010. By investigating the pandemic-democracy relationship in the country, it contributes to research on how a backsliding country have handled the pandemic. The research finds that the Hungarian government have used the pandemic as a pretext to conduct quick, unchallenged promulgation of law, exercise authoritarian measures and promote its own political objectives. The findings also suggest that the gradual suppression of democracy since 2010 seems to have paved the way for further violations of democratic standards observed during the pandemic. It is hoped that the thesis overall will contribute to the understanding of why analyzing consequences on democracy during a crisis is crucial for identifying better policy responses and international regulations, and to hopefully avoid future democratic violations.}},
author = {{Torvik Knutsen, Kaia}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
series = {{53}},
title = {{Covid-19 and democrcy}},
year = {{2022}},
}