The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed life around the world. It has made people wish for some type of normalcy. The illusion is that there was some form of stability. Global normalcy is a myth. War, poverty, economic instability, and a general decay of society was prevalent before the pandemic. The notion that nation-states are acting as guides in global crisis is shattered with the continued deaths and increasing infection rates. Some have been insulated in bubbles, without recognition of the extent of human suffering. The common maxim "we are all in this together" shows a level of delusion that the public has. Disproportionately the elderly, discriminated ethnic groups, and the poor are effected the worse by the pandemic. These groups were already at a disadvantage in society. The crisis just exposed how they are isolated and marginalized. The calls for unity are only statements as international conflicts and disputes continue. The US, Russia, and China are still in a struggle for geopolitical dominance. Iran and North Korea remain under sanctions. The constant state of conflict and animosity was never normal. The developed world has been protected from some of the erratic events of the globe, but this could be coming to an end. Neoliberal capitalism has put the average person in a condition of financial vulnerability. Unemployment and a weakened social safety net will certainly cause civil unrest. Global normalcy and the international order have been set into disarray. The world will never be the same and does not appear to be progressing to a better future. Stability never a part of the world.Once the pandemic has ended, there will be more contention and division among nations. Previous global issues and disputes could escalate. World history is an extensive documentation of armed conflict, economic struggle, and unrest. Global normalcy was a concept designed to create the illusion of stability and international order.
Warfare continues unrestrained despite the international crisis. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria,Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and the DRC remain in states of conflict. Israel has not softened its aggression either, with plans to expand settlements underway. There are even attempts to depose legitimately elected governments. Venezuela could be facing a possible US attack or regime change by the Trump administration. It has been alleged that mercenaries were sent to induce a coup against President Nicholas Maduro's government. The US and the right-wing governments in Latin America are attempting to remove socialist or leftist governments either by direct force or covert action. Warfare has become a normal part of the international stage, with various nations planning massive conflicts. China and Russia have been demonized to distract from internal problems of the EU and US. The reason conflict is encouraged has to due with economic and political factors. The arms trade would not exist if it were not for armed conflict. The business of building tanks, guns, aircraft, and naval ships is too profitable. The United States, Russia, the UK, and Germany have invested too much in arms exports. The world has never been in a general state of peace. Politically, the democracies of the West do not have anything to offer the public in the face of economic collapse. Politicians rather not embark on ambitious reform or programs to address social and international problems. Instead a tactic is to use scapegoating and fear to direct public anger at another country or race. The COVID-19 pandemic will inevitably make the world blame China. The disputes related to trade and geopolitics could result in war. Analysis have described a new Cold War between the US and China, but the tension seems more critical. The 20th century saw devastating conflicts such as World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the wars in Indochina. There was hope that with a newly established United Nations, that international disputes could be solved without violence. Once more, world power politics continued to be the mode of operation. During the Cold War it was two superpowers in competition for global influence. When the Soviet Union collapsed this cause a dramatic change. The US was the sole superpower . As old ethnic and religious hatreds emerged in a changing world, so did the mass migration of people. Internationalism and globalism is being rejected in favor of a more rabid xenophobic nativism. The world is not one; it is nations fighting one another. Unity among humankind it is impossible as long as people cling to their national, racial, and religious hatreds. The fact that conflicts have continued despite the global pandemic is proof of this.
Economic insecurity has been a constant menace to various nations of the world. Neoliberal capitalism has failed to produce prosperity for the majority of the world's population. Under such strain, income inequality and poverty will only get worse. The only logical conclusion that can be made is that the capitalist system no longer works. The only reason to attempt to salvage such a system is because no clear alternative exists. Socialism could be a solution to such problems, but world revolution is out of reach. There are numerous political, social, and regional circumstances that prevent such an event from emerging. At the most basic level, the world population has not reach a level of consciousness to do so. The world's poor have no power. Even in the liberal democracies, the politicians and legislators favor the elite. The average citizen has less influence compared the corporations who largely finance certain political figures and organizations. Poverty can no longer be hidden with more people requiring food stamps and unemployment assistance. The global economy has bee erratic since the Great Depression. The stock market crash in 1987, the Asian financial crisis in 1998, and the 2008 global financial crisis are just a few examples in recent history of economic instability. The pandemic is not to blame for the sudden economic crisis. This was the inevitable result of supply side economics, deregulation of banking, and neoliberal economic policy. The concern was about economic growth and accumulation of profit. Stagnant incomes or decline in the standard of living was not the concern of business leaders or economic advisors. Social mobility has become more out of reach for the majority of workers, while others fall from a position of financial security. Workers have been struggling for one decade to the next, with little help. While a select few at the top of the social scale have seen more wealth, that was taken as a sign everyone was doing well. The illusion was shattered and the world grows evermore restless. Class oppression, which was seen as normal is now being challenged. Human history since the rise of civilization has been be pyramid structure of social hierarchy . Oppression is not a normalcy, rather it shows the level of dysfunction in a society. A new distinct conflict is emerging, which is based around class.For most of human history this has been happening, yet now it has become even more pronounced.Economic recovery may never come,but for most it did not materialize. The myth of economic security has come to an end and world governments do not have a proper response.
A combination of erratic world events has created social decay. The largest example is the inadequate amount of healthcare the average person receives. Countries with functioning healthcare systems are able to handle the pandemic better. Before countries that are reliant on private insurance have caused much distress to the public. Insurance basically decides what type of care a person receives or whether or not a person get care at all. Developing countries struggle to maintain a basic healthcare system. Connecting business with healthcare only shows how corrupt society has become. Profit and business is more important than human life. This may only be an extension of other negative attitudes. Racial animosity is on the rise, with immigrants being used as scapegoats. Hate groups, fringe organizations, and far-right extremists are becoming politically acceptable. Out of fear and hate they are being embraced by a public that is vulnerable to propaganda. The social decay that is happening was not sudden. This was a gradual deterioration of communities. Globalization and partisan politics cause massive division around the world. Instead of expanding opportunity governments added to social decay. Public programs and services were being dismantled in favor of privatization. Along with unfair tax codes and the disappearance of high paying jobs, poverty increased. The developing wold had been dealing with economic challenges since independence from former colonizers. The 2008 global financial meltdown saw Europe impose the most stern measures of fiscal austerity. Generations may never experience comfort or stability like they did in the past. As the elite gain more wealth and power, it becomes more apparent that conventional means of political participation cannot stop them. The anger and frustration has become too enormous to placate. Civil unrest could be a possibility, if there is not some way to combat social decay.
The current world crisis has exposed many faults with humanity. Prejudice, suspicion, hatred, and scapegoating have been prevalent. The calls for unity are mostly disingenuous coming from the US-EU block. Sanctions are still being imposed on Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, and North Korea. Discussions of aid or assistance has been non-existent for these states. There are some people in society that are not deemed important, but contradicts the mythical narrative that humanity is fighting all together one of the worst crisis of the century. African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans are dying at higher rates from COVID-19. Medical neglect demonstrates that the US does not care about citizens are are not white. The most egregious aspect is that spurious claim has been accepted that these ethnic groups just do not take care of their health. The elderly also are seen as low priority with retirement homes facing high rates of infection. These cases of abuse and neglect were common even before the pandemic. Normalcy was never a part of the world. There is talk of times being unprecedented or turbulent. History has been a narrative of violence, unrest, and dramatic social change. Wars, revolutions, and civil disturbance were common. The difference now, is that more people are taking note of this cycle unrest. Technology has allowed greater access to information and the ability to document events as they happen. The promotion of blind optimism or the false sense of unity is designed to keep the population passive. World civilization is going to be changed an extreme fashion and it may be difficult for people to accept.The ruling elite want to maintain the economic and political status quo, but a growing number of people will question it. So much so that the mechanisms of liberal democracy will be subject to scrutiny. The international order of the 20th century has officially collapsed. A new world has emerged and the concept of global normalcy has come to an end.
