The most popular definition of populism defines the political strategy through an economic lens as ‘an approach to economics that emphasizes growth and income redistribution and deemphasizes the risks of inflation and deficit finance, external constraints, and the reaction of economic agents to aggressive nonmarket policies.’  Through a political science lens, populism is a rejection of pluralism and of the traditional political elite.  Populism is generally considered a threat to liberal democracy which was a general trend in many nations in the 20th century.

Populism

In theory, partisanship is synonymous with the selection of a political party that one feels best reflects one’s policy preferences, as a time saving tool to help make decisions on a ballot that will best reflect those policy preferences.  However, notably in American politics, partisanship is increasingly a social identifier in which people choose parties based on largely social cues and then adopting the policy preferences of the party.  This form of partisanship is generally regarded as a negative force in a democracy.

Partisanship

- Conspiracy Theories
- Propaganda
- Dissemination of False Information
- Impacts of False Information

Categories of False or Misleading Information

In order for an election to be considered truly democratic, it must be both free and fair.  There are many criteria to a free and fair election.  The three primary criteria listed by the Inter-Parliamentary Union "Declaration on Criteria for Free and Fair Elections" which have fallen under scrutiny in recent months with the progression of Covid-19 are consistent application of election law, polling station accessibility, and non-fraudulent results.

Free and Fair Elections

- Populism
- Partisanship
- Categories of False or Misleading Information
- Free and Fair Elections

University of California, Davis

- Good Leadership Traits to Contain COVID-19 (with examples) 
- Assessing Government Responses to COVID-19 with the Government Response Stringency Index
- Covid-19 Potential Impact on Populist Trends
- Covid-19 Impact on International Civil Rights and Liberties
- Voting during COVID-19 (Electoral Cycle)
- Political Science Terminology
- Covid-19 Impact on International Civil Rights and Liberties
-COVID-19 affecting the Stock Market
- Politics surrounding Vaccines/vaccination

Politics and Government in relation to COVID-19

With over 1 million COVID-19 cases as of June 30th, 2020 (according to WHO), the national governments play a crucial role in controlling the pandemic. Essential keys to good governance during these times include rapid response, good communication, impactful decision making, relying on the public, and working with other nations. 

Good Leadership Traits to Contain COVID-19 (with examples)

- COVID-19 Government Response Stringency Index (GRSI) 

Assessment of Government Responses to COVID-19

- Hong Kong
- Russian Federation
- United States

Covid-19 Impact on International Civil Rights and Liberties

The electoral cycle includes the steps and processes for elections. The pre-electoral period is when voters register, staff are trained, and information starts to gather. The electoral period is when nominations, campaigns, and voting happens. This is also when results of the elections are released. Lastly, the post-electoral period is to review the whole electoral cycle and make strategies.
- Electoral Cycle during COVID-19

Electoral Cycle 

Political Science Terminology

-	Changes to UN projects
-	Social distancing policies of UN
-	Negative Impact from COVID-19 on peace operations
-	Positive Impact from COVID-19 on peace operations


COVID-19 Impact on Peace Operations

This pandemic has affected the Stock Markets much more than the Spanish Flu did. But, not all countries were impacted the same way. The results included:  shareholders no longer seemed troubled by news of the health crisis, and prices rebounded all around the world, stock markets did not react more strongly in countries more susceptible to the pandemic, either due to structural economic fragility or through exposure to transmission vectors, investors were sensitive to the number of COVID-19 cases in neighboring (but mostly wealthy) countries and finally, credit facilities and government guarantees, lower policy interest rates, and lockdown measures mitigated the decline in stock prices. 

How Has the Stock Market Been Affected by COVID-19

There is doubt about the compliance with vaccine measures once a covid-19 vaccine is approved and available for distribution.  In a poll released by Gallup in early August of 2020, 35% of Americans report that they would not get a “free, FDA-approved Covid-19 vaccine if ready today.”   Historically,  individuals with the same political party identification of the contemporary president have been more likely to vaccinate than presidential out-partisans.   However, this Gallup poll showed Democrats were more than 30% more likely than Republicans to agree to a vaccine in this scenario, despite the fact that there is currently a Republican in the White House.  Although there is not significant research on the matter, this concern among individuals could be realistically attributed to three overlapping categories: Premature approval, politicization, and general mistrust of vaccines.

Learn Before

Related

Learn After