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COVID-19, crisis responses, and public policies: from the persistence of inequalities to the importance of policy design
[The impact of COVID-19 on gender equality]

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Béland
  • Alex Jingwei He
  • M Ramesh

Abstract

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of social inequalities during major crises, a reality that has clear implications for public policy. In this introductory article to the thematic issue of Policy and Society on COVID-19, inequalities, and public policies, we provide an overview of the nexus between crisis and inequality before exploring its importance for the study of policy stability and change, with a particular focus on policy design. Here, we stress the persistence of inequalities during major crises before exploring how the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to focus on these inequalities when the time comes to design policies in response to such crises. Paying close attention to the design of these policies is essential for the study of, and fight against, social inequalities in times of crisis. Both during and beyond crises, policy design should emphasize tackling with inequalities. This is the case because current design choices shape future patterns of social inequality.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Béland & Alex Jingwei He & M Ramesh, 2022. "COVID-19, crisis responses, and public policies: from the persistence of inequalities to the importance of policy design [The impact of COVID-19 on gender equality]," Policy and Society, Darryl S. Jarvis and M. Ramesh, vol. 41(2), pages 187-198.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:polsoc:v:41:y:2022:i:2:p:187-198.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/polsoc/puac021
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gagnon-Dufresne, Marie-Catherine & Gautier, Lara & Beaujoin, Camille & Boivin, Pauline & Coulibaly, Abdourahmane & Richard, Zoé & Gomes de Medeiros, Stéphanie & Dutra Da Nóbrega, Raylson Emanuel & de , 2023. "Did the design and planning of testing and contact tracing interventions for COVID-19 consider social inequalities in health? A multiple case study from Brazil, Canada, France & Mali," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 335(C).
    2. Richard Machin, 2023. "UK local government experience of COVID-19 Lockdown: Local responses to global challenges," Local Economy, London South Bank University, vol. 38(1), pages 80-91, February.

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