Description
Book SynopsisThe Covid pandemic has put all modern societies to a serious test of resilience. The interdisciplinary research on which this book is based examined how four European governments behaved in these circumstances. During the months of the crisis, the team of experts coordinated by the editors of this volume took a close look at the decision-making processes in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia – the so-called Visegrad Four.
The inquiries focused on experiences from the academic, health, economic and social fields. The methods of comparison included surveys, interviews, discourse analysis, for which the adaptive leadership theory provided the conceptual framework.
The conclusions are both academic and practical. Aside the description of the pandemic responses, the research had a formative dimension: how can an adaptive leadership approach better help societies manage the health and societal impacts of similar challenges? The spectrum of emerging anti-democratic tendencies in the region provided the specific context of the exercise. The four states face varying degrees of democratic backsliding as well as illiberal influences that have affected their response to the pandemic, which gives this research on the Visegrad Four a worldwide resonance.
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
List of Tables
List of Figures
List of Appendices
List of Boxes
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Leadership Framework
Chapter Outline
CHAPTER 1 – The Czech Republic: The “Best in Covid”
Introduction
The Czech Case
Survey: Czech Covid Leadership Response Questionnaire
Discussion and Conclusion
Appendix CZ 1: Czech Covid Leadership Response Questionnaire
Appendix CZ 2: Covid Pandemic Leadership Open-ended comments
CHAPTER 2 – Slovakia: In the Shadow of Sputnik
Introduction
The Slovak Case
Opinion Polls: Analysis of Slovak Public Opinion During Covid-19
Conclusion
Appendix SK 1 - Overview of selected events
CHAPTER 3 – Poland: A Two Front Battle
Introduction
Sources of Data and Background
The Polish Case
Interview: The Attitude of Entrepreneurs in Poland During the First Wave of the Covid-19 Pandemic and After the Adoption of the Vaccine
Discussion and Conclusion
Appendix PL 1. Questionnaire intended for the first and second stage of the study
CHAPTER 4 – Hungary: The Enemy is Everywhere
Introduction
The Hungarian Case
Discourse Analysis: The Communication Style of Viktor Orbán in the Epidemic
Discussion and Conclusion
CHAPTER 5 – Conclusion: Following the Leader
Introduction
Meta-Analysis
Adaptive Leadership and Democracy
Conclusion
BIBLIOGRAPHY
List of Contributors
