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Government Reactions, Citizens’ Responses, and COVID-19 around the World

Author

Listed:
  • Jon Reiersen

    (USN School of Business, Department of Business, History and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3679 Borre, Norway)

  • Manuel Romero-Hernández

    (USN School of Business, Department of Business, History and Social Sciences, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3679 Borre, Norway
    Department of Applied Economic Analysis, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain)

  • Romén Adán-González

    (Independent Researcher, 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain)

Abstract

We analyze the relationship between different dimensions of the quality of the political system and the outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data are retrieved from open-access databases for 98 countries. We apply a multivariable regression model to identify the relationship between various factors likely to affect the number of COVID-19 deaths, in addition to different dimensions of the quality of the political system. We find that the high quality of the electoral process in a country is associated with more COVID-19 deaths, while good political culture is associated with fewer deaths. As expected, we also find that trust in government and experiences with pandemics in the past is negatively related to COVID-19 deaths. Finally, a high GDP per capita is significantly associated with more COVID-19 deaths. Our findings illustrate that rapid, effective, and comprehensive government measures can protect society from the spread of a virus, but citizen compliance is also essential to policy success.

Suggested Citation

  • Jon Reiersen & Manuel Romero-Hernández & Romén Adán-González, 2022. "Government Reactions, Citizens’ Responses, and COVID-19 around the World," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5667-:d:809867
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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