Review of History and Political Science

Democracy in Times of COVID-19: A Habermasian Retrospective Analysis of the South Korean Response
Christophe Gaudin, Andy Battentier

Abstract
COVID-19’s spread varies widely between countries. We use Habermas’ notions of system and lifeworld to understand how decisions regarding public health have been taken in South Korea. From what he calls the “system’s” perspective, a low death toll per capita is associated with crisis management plans being crafted beforehand and the epidemic handled within the frame of regular law. However, these measures are only efficient as long as they echo properly in citizens’ “lifeworld” to be implemented properly. We suggest concrete leads to rephrase Habermas’ legacy, both to make it fit into the specifics of East Asian democracies and to reconsider the role of public spheres in pandemic management.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/rhps.v11a5