Are there similarities between the Corona and the climate crisis?

Robert C. Schmidt ()
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Robert C. Schmidt: FernUniversität

Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 2021, vol. 11, issue 2, No 1, 159-163

Abstract: Abstract In this short paper, I look back at the early stages of the Corona crisis, around early February 2020, and compare the situation with the climate crisis. Although these two problems unfold on a completely different timescale (weeks in the case of Corona, decades in the case of climate change), I find some rather striking similarities between these two problems, related with issues such as uncertainty, free-rider incentives, and disincentives of politicians to adequately address the respective issue with early, farsighted and possibly harsh policy measures. I then argue that for complex problems with certain characteristics, it may be necessary to establish novel political decision procedures that sidestep the normal, day-to-day political proceedings. These would be procedures that actively involve experts, and lower the involvement of political parties as far as possible to minimize the decision-makers’ disincentives.

Keywords: Climate change; Corona crisis; Democracy; Incentives; Constitution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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DOI: 10.1007/s13412-021-00666-5

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