Many months ago when the world was facing the challenges of the second wave, I had written Corona is not going to go without leaving a deep impact on the societies , The pandemic is likely to have a multi dimensional impact on the societies ; SOCIAL- POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC RAMIFICATIONS as deep as the World War 1 and 2 had. https://www.bharatamrising.com/challenges-features-2/pandemic-will-have-social-eco-and-political-ramifications
Many might not have still understood the full meaning of it as these implications have a gestation period and they take time to manifest themselves in various forms.
One. Corona made nations and societies look inwards. For eg Almost all nations banned the exports of important items that were needed at home for the treatment. They were more interested in first taking care of their own population.
Two. This inward looking attitude led to a disorderly withdrawal of US from Afghanistan, which emboldened many rogue nations to assert themselves and bully their neighbours ; China intruded in Ladakah and now Russia in Ukraine. No one is interested now to intervene on ground so the war is still continuing. No one could have think a year ago that conventional war could go on for more than 15 days. As a result the world is now facing the fuel crisis that would further lead to increase in inflation and increase in living costs.
Three. The lock downs slowed down and contracted the economies and many nations are now going through worst ever economic turmoil ; Srilanka, Bangladesh and many others. Almost all nations big and small are facing the hardships and their economies have still not fully recovered from the two year shock.
Four. The poor and young are suffering because finding jobs has become a herculean task, in a contracted economy. The violence in Bihar, Rajasthan by the students is an indicator what lies in store, if things are not addressed rightly. According to NSSO surveys, India’s premier agency for surveys, had reported that India’s unemployment rate in 2017-18 was the worst in over four decades and if that was the situation in 2018 imagine what would be now.
All the above have a great risk as economists have warned, they believe that the rising unemployment rates is likely to lead to civil unrest, violent protests, and political and economic disputes.
The Political masters have a great responsiility to act maturely. Any short cut taken by political masters to divert the attention of the masses or decisions taken for petty political reasons is likely to boomerang severely at some point of time. The nations need to address the issues in right earnest instead of taking short cuts.