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From expression to infection: decoding the role of freedom in pandemic dynamics

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  • Vincenzo Alfano

    (University of Napoli “Parthenope”)

Abstract

In 2020, COVID-19 unfolded in a hyperconnected society. Its impact, before vaccines, was linked to the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). This study examines the relationship between freedom of expression, academic freedom, NPIs, and the COVID-19 trend, in a sample of 157 countries. We find that countries with higher levels of freedom of expression and academic freedom had fewer daily COVID-19 cases. These findings are in line with the idea that public trust fosters NPI compliance, and suggest that these freedoms may play an important role in mitigating the spread of infectious diseases. Our results suggest that policymakers should consider levels of freedom of expression and academic freedom before implementing NPIs to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases. The article also discusses the limitations of our analysis and suggests directions for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Vincenzo Alfano, 2025. "From expression to infection: decoding the role of freedom in pandemic dynamics," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 42(2), pages 549-568, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:epolit:v:42:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s40888-025-00365-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s40888-025-00365-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bargain, Olivier & Aminjonov, Ulugbek, 2020. "Trust and compliance to public health policies in times of COVID-19," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    2. Karabulut, Gokhan & Zimmermann, Klaus F. & Bilgin, Mehmet Huseyin & Doker, Asli Cansin, 2021. "Democracy and COVID-19 outcomes," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    3. Vincenzo Alfano, 2022. "Work ethics, stay-at-home measures and COVID-19 diffusion," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(5), pages 893-901, July.
    4. James D. Hamilton, 2018. "Why You Should Never Use the Hodrick-Prescott Filter," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 100(5), pages 831-843, December.
    5. Vincenzo Alfano, 2022. "Does social capital enforce social distancing? The role of bridging and bonding social capital in the evolution of the pandemic," Economia Politica: Journal of Analytical and Institutional Economics, Springer;Fondazione Edison, vol. 39(3), pages 839-859, October.
    6. Alfano, Vincenzo & Capasso, Salvatore & Ercolano, Salvatore & Goel, Rajeev K., 2022. "Death takes no bribes: Impact of perceived corruption on the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical interventions at combating COVID-19," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    7. Reinhard Schunck, 2013. "Within and between estimates in random-effects models: Advantages and drawbacks of correlated random effects and hybrid models," Stata Journal, StataCorp LLC, vol. 13(1), pages 65-76, March.
    8. Rostan, Michele, 2010. "Challenges to Academic Freedom: Some Empirical Evidence," European Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(S1), pages 71-88, May.
    9. Vincenzo Alfano & Salvatore Ercolano, 2020. "The Efficacy of Lockdown Against COVID-19: A Cross-Country Panel Analysis," Applied Health Economics and Health Policy, Springer, vol. 18(4), pages 509-517, August.
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    JEL classification:

    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • K41 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Litigation Process
    • Y50 - Miscellaneous Categories - - Further Reading - - - Further Reading

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