ABSTRACT
Comparing the US and South Korean management of Covid-19 is a useful lens through which to analyze the virtues and vices of neoliberal LME and state-led CME governance of large industrial democracies. A comparative analysis of these two countries shows that ‘institutions matter’ in terms of whether the response to Covid-19 succeeds or fails. The disastrous response of the US is mostly attributed to institutional governance failures such as a neoliberal private for-profit healthcare system, a politicized Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), New Federalism, a fractured civil society, and unprotected precariat labor. In addition, Trump’s leadership failures, such as a personal and ‘hate listening to experts’ style of leadership and a nationalist ‘America First’ agenda, have contributed to the failed response to Covid-19 in the US The successful response of South Korea is mostly attributed to its public and universal healthcare system, institutionalized Korea Center for Disease Control (KCDC), a centralized state with a coordinated center-periphery system, voluntary civil followership, and social welfare for precariat workers. In addition, Moon Jae In’s democratic leadership in transferring authority to and communicating with local governments, industries, and civil society, and international leadership to build a global and regional pandemic prevention system based on ‘K-Prevention’ have contributed to the successful response to Covid-19 in South Korea.
