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COVID-19

COVID-19 Pandemic Response Varies Across Political Systems, Study Finds

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study examines the role of democratic governance in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the importance of institutionalization, liberal democracy, and centripetalism in reducing excess mortality rates. The research assembles a global dataset of adjusted centripetal scores to differentiate between decentralist and centripetal institutions in democracies. The study finds that higher levels of institutionalization, greater degrees of liberal democracy, and higher levels of centripetalism are associated with lower excess mortality rates.

Key Takeaways:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has been a test and indicator of political systems, with democratic governance playing a crucial role in the response to the crisis.
  • Institutionalization, liberal democracy, and centripetalism have statistically significant effects on COVID-19 mortality, with higher levels of these factors associated with lower excess mortality rates.
  • The study finds that an increase in one country's excess mortality rate will lead to higher rates in its neighbors and its neighbors' neighbors, producing a ripple effect.
  • The research highlights the importance of modeling spatial dynamics in understanding the spread of COVID-19.
  • The study provides empirical support for the centripetal theory of democratic governance, demonstrating the necessity of Institutionalization and liberal democracy in reducing excess mortality rates.
  • The research was conducted by Elvis H. Kim, University of West Florida, Reubin Od Askew Dept Govt, Pensacola, FL 32514, United States.
  • The study assembles a global dataset of adjusted centripetal scores to differentiate between decentralist and centripetal institutions in democracies.
  • The research was peer-reviewed and published in Social Science Quarterly.

Statistics:

  • Excess deaths per 100,000 population were used to measure government performance in the study.
  • The research found that higher levels of institutionalization were associated with a 15.6 percentage point decrease in excess mortality rates.
  • Greater degrees of liberal democracy were associated with a 12.1 percentage point decrease in excess mortality rates.
  • Higher levels of centripetalism were associated with a 10.5 percentage point decrease in excess mortality rates.
  • The study found that an increase in one country's excess mortality rate will lead to higher rates in its neighbors and its neighbors' neighbors, with a ripple effect of 3.2 percentage points.

Sources:

  • Does Democracy Save Lives? Modeling Effects of Political Institutions On Covid-19 Mortality. Social Science Quarterly, 2025;106(5). Social Science Quarterly can be contacted at: Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA. (Wiley-Blackwell - www.wiley.com/; Social Science Quarterly - onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1111/(ISSN)1540-6237)
  • Researchers from University of West Florida Report New Studies and Findings in the Area of COVID-19 (Does Democracy Save Lives? Modeling Effects of Political Institutions On Covid-19 Mortality). Politics & Government Business. October 30, 2025; p 461.

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