DEBATE: GLOBAL SOLIDARITY DURING COVID-19

I joined this panel at the International Institute for Social Studies annual conference, discussing how well the world had stepped up during the pandemic, and the prospects for the future. I argued that it had brought out the best and worst in human behaviour. At the community level, an inspiring rise in mutual aid groups. But also stockpiling of Covid19 vaccines by rich countries that have left people in developing countries largely unvaccinated, and excessive profiteering by some companies. Coming out of the pandemic, I would like to see a shared belief that certain things must be considered global public goods, and implementation of progressive policies such as taxes on luxury carbon or wealth, that create revenue that can be spent on supporting the poorest and tackling climate change.