States of Denial: Strongmen and Covid-19
Author(s): Benno Zogg
Journal Title: International Policy Digest
Publication Year: 2020
Erratic responses to the pandemic have revealed the fundamental flaws and fears of political systems focused on strongmen, and of the populists who admire them. Three Eurasian states in particular - Belarus, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan - exemplify inherent weaknesses in combating such a threat. Two major factors incentivize strongmen to downplay the extent of the threat and crisis: fear of economic downturn and of appearing weak.