In more recent years, societies worldwide have faced a number of challenges that have tested the resilience of communities and institutions. Among these, the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns, as well as concerns around immigration especially, those arriving by boat have been particularly significant. These issues have not only affected the day-to-day lives of individuals but have also had a broader implication for societal stability, as we have seen recently around the UK.
The Covid-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented public health measures, including lockdowns, which were aimed at controlling the spread of the virus. While necessary for public health, these measures have had a very profound impact on social and economic life. Various research has indicated that policies such as workplace and school closures, which induced intense grievances online and reduced the opportunity of engaging in collective mobilization.
The lockdowns were also a subject of debate regarding their effectiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the effect of lockdowns on COVID-19 deaths based on available empirical evidence. The findings suggest that the average lockdown in Europe and the United States in the spring of 2020 reduced COVID-19 mortality by a modest percentage. This led to discussions about the balance between the benefits of lockdowns and their social, cultural, and economic costs.
Immigration, on the other hand, has been a topic of significant political and social discourse. The relationship between immigration and economic inequality is very complex, with politics and policies playing a central role in moderating this relationship. While most studies document minor direct economic effects of immigration on native employment and wages, immigration can have significant indirect or downstream economic effects through political channels. Political reactions to immigration likely have more of an impact on inequality than immigration’s direct economic consequences, affecting the distribution of work, wages, and wealth.
In times like these, such as during the Covid lockdowns or amid debates on immigration, there is a big risk of radicalisation. Extremists can and will exploit these crises by distributing disinformation online and manipulating genuine concerns. Misinformation and propaganda do play a role in supporting radicalisation, with individuals who have self-uncertainty, low cognitive flexibility, perceived grievances, and low social integration being more vulnerable to radicalisation via extremist misinformation. The online environment, while not the sole cause of radicalisation, can facilitate this process by enabling communication, networking, and ideology-seeking actions from not just in the UK but worldwide.
The spread of disinformation during time of crises can further incite hatred, justify violence, and divide communities, again as we have seen recently. It is crucial for societies to address these challenges by trying to foster resilience, promoting accurate information, and supporting those communities affected. This involves a multi-faceted approach that includes public health measures, economic support, and policies that consider the social and political dimensions of these issues.
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