Economists and COVID-19 Ideas, Theories and Policies During the Pandemic

This book examines and classifies different reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic from economists across the world. With the impacts of the pandemic experienced differently in each country, specific case studies are provided to highlight how the economics profession has responded to the challenges that have emerged from COVID-19. Key debates, such as the trade-off between health protective measures and the economic impacts of closing important sectors, are discussed, with a focus on the responses in China, the USA, Italy, France, Russia, Argentina, Brazil, India, and Palestine.

This book explores the ability of economists to respond to economic and social crises, and provides insight into the ties between economic theory and economic policy in the modern world. It will be relevant to students and researchers interested in how economists have responded to the COVID-19 and what changes it might trigger.

Introduction.- 1. China: Interpreting the Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Context of National Goals.- 2. COVID-19 and the Indian Economy: The Debate about a Wage-led Recovery.- 3. Palestine: The Pandemic Between Occupation and Neoliberalism.- 4. Economic Policy Debates in France since COVID-19: A Lasting Shift in Macron’s Doctrine? .- 5. COVID-19 and Russia.- 6. The Economy at the Time of COVID-19: Theoretical and Political Debates in the United States.- 7. Economists and COVID-19: The case of Argentina.- 8. Economic Policy and Economic Research in Brazil During the Pandemic.

Andrés Lazzarini is a Lecturer in Economics at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Denis Melnik is Associate Professor in the Department of Theoretical Economics at the HSE University.