But Covid-19 is, seemingly, threatening the body politic of the global order as well. There is evidence of authoritarian regimes taking advantage of the pandemic to crush civil liberties and democratic rights. The virus, worryingly, has also led to a surge in shrill nationalism, the kind that energizes the rhetoric of a virulent right-wing. The need of the hour during a global pandemic is global cooperation — the fundamental tenet of multilateralism. Of course, populist leadership is not the only reason behind the triumph of toxic nationalism.

Source: The Telegraph April 15, 2020 18:56 UTC