China versus the US in the pandemic crisis: governance and politics confronting systemic challenges

Abstract

Because of its peculiar nature as a systemic challenge, the control of the COVID-19 crisis requires strong and rapid actions. It appears that China has employed a “tough model” whereas the erratic measures of the US have formed a “loose model”. This article seeks to characterise and assess the two models from the perspective of the governance structures and the corrective capabilities of the two different political establishments. The exposition draws on the framework of “exit, voice, and loyalty” developed by Albert Hirschman, and questions the hegemonic ideology of the “liberal democracy versus authoritarianism” dichotomy.