POPULISM VS COVID-19. CIVILIZING AND DECIVILIZING PROCESSES IN A TIME OF GLOBAL CATASTROPHE

Abstract What constitutes a “civilized society”? The Oxford Dictionary defines it as one that has reached “an advanced stage of human development in which people […] behave well towards each other and share common culture.” Yes, but there is more to “being civilized” than this. Based on Norbert Elias’ Civilizing Process, this paper examines how the rise populism leading Anglo-American societies undermined many essential attributes civilized societies. Although emergence COVID-19 further added decivilizing process, oppose other. former shows empty promises fraud latter, can only be defeated by belief science strong (but accountable) central state authority. Despite damaging individuals societies, ironically helps strengthen civilising process weaken populism.