Representation, Responsiveness, and COVID-19

• In Event: Distributive Politics in a Polarized, Post-Pandemic Congress

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted everyone, but it did not impact everyone equally. Nor were communities across the nation equally prepared for a major public health and economic emergency. We use a combination of spending and demographic data to assess the quality of the federal government’s response to this crisis by asking the following: did federal assistance reach communities most in need, addressing the pandemic’s health and economic impacts in light of preexisting inequalities? More broadly, can America’s national government respond effectively and equitably to a major exogenous policy shock at a time of polarized political parties and massive cross-community economic and social differences?

Authors

• William T. Bianco, Indiana University

• Rachel Blum, University of Oklahoma

• Josh McCrain, University of Utah