Social and Economic Stability of the State in the Post-COVID Era: The Evolution of Theoretical Approaches and Leadership Practices

This chapter deals with the factors of the social and economic stability of the state and state governance in the post-COVID era. In particular, it focuses on the evolution of theoretical approaches and leadership practices. After the COVID-19 pandemic, the traditional globalization has ended, and the so-called new globalization representing the new era of international economy and international relations has already started. This chapter presents a more detailed examination of economic globalization over the past 20 years and provides the framework for understanding the implications of the trade tensions between some global players. In addition, it describes the implications stemming from the shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic for the whole world’s economic order. Specifically, this chapter extends the timeline to explore the rise and decline of economic globalization prior to and following the global financial crisis in 2008, and it examines the specific impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic within the historical process. Furthermore, we argue that in this new era of altered globalization, the leading role of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS countries) will be rising and that these countries will be increasingly more responsible for promoting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and contributing to the stability of the global economic and social systems as the leaders of the post-COVID era. In addition, we reviewed a number of publications related to COVID-19 control and the effects of COVID-19 in the areas of society, economy, and politics. While efforts are underway to develop drug interventions for the coronavirus pandemic, the science of socio-behavioral behavior may offer valuable insights to managing the global pandemic and its impacts. We discuss topics broadly related to multiple phases of the current pandemic, in order to help decision-makers, leaders, and the public better understand how to manage threats, navigate diverse social and cultural settings, enhance scientific communications, align individual and collective interests, engage in effective leadership, and provide social and emotional support for the citizens.