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Democracy and COVID-19 Outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Karabulut, Gokhan

    (Istanbul University and GLO)

  • Zimmermann, Klaus F.

    (UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University, GLO and CEPR)

  • Bilgin, Mehmet Huseyin

    (Istanbul Medeniyet University and GLO)

  • Doker, Asli Cansin

    (Erzincan Binali Yildirim University and GLO)

Abstract

More democratic countries are often expected to fail at providing a fast, strong, and effective response when facing a crisis such as COVID-19. This could result in higher infections and more negative health effects, but hard evidence to prove this claim is missing for the new disease. Studying the association with five different democracy measures, this study shows that while the infection rates of the disease do indeed appear to be higher for more democratic countries so far, their observed case fatality rates are lower. There is also a negative association between case fatality rates and government attempts to censor media. However, such censorship relates positively to the infection rate.

Suggested Citation

  • Karabulut, Gokhan & Zimmermann, Klaus F. & Bilgin, Mehmet Huseyin & Doker, Asli Cansin, 2021. "Democracy and COVID-19 Outcomes," MERIT Working Papers 2021-004, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    • Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2021004
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Klaus F. Zimmermann & Gokhan Karabulut & Mehmet Huseyin Bilgin & Asli Cansin Doker, 2020. "Inter‐country distancing, globalisation and the coronavirus pandemic," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(6), pages 1484-1498, June.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Democracy; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Pandemic; Lockdown; Media Censoring;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D72 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Political Processes: Rent-seeking, Lobbying, Elections, Legislatures, and Voting Behavior
    • C30 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - General
    • P16 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Capitalist Economies - - - Capitalist Institutions; Welfare State
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other

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