Political Anomie in the Wake of COVID-19: Government Mismanagement, Public Distrust, and Social Consequences

• In Event: 40420 - Section on Political Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 12: The Politics of COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed stark differences in governmental responses, ranging from transparent crisis management to authoritarian repression and corruption. This study examines how political mismanagement of the pandemic contributed to political anomie, defined as a widespread loss of trust in governmental institutions, social alienation, and instability. By analyzing cross-national data on government transparency, pandemic policy enforcement, corruption levels, and mass casualty events, this research explores the link between COVID-19 governance failures and declining institutional legitimacy. The study particularly focuses on authoritarian regimes where pandemic responses were marked by censorship, delayed vaccine distribution, and human rights violations, leading to increased public unrest, psychological distress, and political disengagement. Utilizing open-source datasets such as V-Dem, World Governance Indicators, and COVIDiSTRESS, this research employs a comparative approach to assess how state-level decisions shaped public sentiment and political behavior during the pandemic. Findings contribute to broader discussions on crisis governance, institutional trust, and the long-term sociopolitical effects of COVID-19 mismanagement.

Authors

• Banafsheh Aghayeeabianeh, Arkansas State University-Main Campus

• Veena S. Kulkarni, Arkansas State University-Main Campus