Learning from the Past: Pandemics and the Governance Treadmill

D. G. Webster, Semra A. Aytur, Mark Axelrod, Robyn S. Wilson, Joseph A. Hamm, Linda Sayed, Amber L. Pearson, Pedro Henrique C. Torres, Alero Akporiaye and Oran Young
Additional contact information
D. G. Webster: Environmental Studies, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
Semra A. Aytur: Department of Health Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA
Mark Axelrod: Department of Fisheries & Wildlife, James Madison College, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA
Robyn S. Wilson: School of Environment and Natural Resources, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
Joseph A. Hamm: Environmental Science & Policy Program, Department of Political Science, School of Criminal Justice, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Linda Sayed: James Madison College and College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA
Amber L. Pearson: Department of Geography, Environment, and Spatial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48825, USA
Pedro Henrique C. Torres: Divisão Científica de Gestão, Ciência e Tecnologia Ambiental, Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE), Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-010, SP, Brazil
Alero Akporiaye: Department of History, Philosophy, and the Social Sciences, Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, RI 02903, USA
Oran Young: Bren School of Environmental Science & Management, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93117, USA

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 6, 1-26

Abstract: Global human health threats, such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, necessitate coordinated responses at multiple levels. Public health professionals and other experts broadly agree about actions needed to address such threats, but implementation of this advice is stymied by systemic factors such as prejudice, resource deficits, and high inequality. In these cases, crises like epidemics may be viewed as opportunities to spark structural changes that will improve future prevention efforts. However, crises can also weaken governance and reinforce systemic failures. In this paper, we use the concept of the governance treadmill to demonstrate cross-level dynamics that help or hinder the alignment of capacities toward prevention during public health crises. We find that variation in capacities and responses across local, national, and international levels contributes to the complex evolution of global and local health governance. Where capacities are misaligned, effective local prevention of global pandemic impacts tends to be elusive in the short term, and multiple cycles of crisis and response may be required before capacities align toward healthy governance. We demonstrate that this transition requires broader societal adaptation, particularly towards social justice and participatory democracy.

Keywords: pandemics; governance treadmill; crisis rebound effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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