Solidarity at the Time of COVID-19: A Conversation with Igor Lukes
Yesterday afternoon, Joseph Wippl, Professor of the Practice of International Relations, spoke to Pardee School colleague Igor Lukes, Professor of History and International Relations and Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic in Boston, about the Czech response to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping Europe and much of the world. Prof. Lukes described how the Czech Republic, given its national character, was uniquely prepared to respond the coronavirus, and why it may be weathering the crisis better than most. He talked about how crises tend to tear masks off not only individuals but also nations and politicians and how we can see that happening now. He described how the virus has underscored the need for the sort of camaraderie and cooperation among nations that the EU facilitates. Nevertheless, he remains worried about a populist resurgence once the worst has passed, hints of which can be seen in the criticisms being leveled at the EU by some European nation states, including the Czech Republic.
Please be sure to check out our conversations with the Greek Consul General Stratos Efthymiou (interviewed by Vesko Garčević) and Italian Consul General Federica Sereni (interviewed by Daniela Caruso) and British Consul General Harriet Cross (interviewed by Graham Wilson). Tomorrow, Prof. Vivien Schmidt will interview the French Consul General Arnaud Metré.