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New Pandemics, Old Politics

Two Hundred Years of War on Disease and its Alternatives
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( 37 ratings, 6 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
New Pandemics, Old Politics by Alex de Waal examines how political responses have shaped the outcomes of pandemics throughout history. The book analyses the complex interplay between global health institutions, national politics, and infectious diseases, highlighting how past political lessons could inform current strategies in managing pandemics without offering specific predictions. Through historical and contemporary case studies, the author provides insights into the dynamics between politics and public health.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are interested in exploring the intersection of global health crises and the political world, providing an insightful analysis of how political systems handle pandemics. The author delves into historical and contemporary responses to health threats, shedding light on lessons learned and the influences of political agendas on public health decisions.

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"A brilliant account of the politics behind modern pandemics by a leading expert on humanitarian crisis and infectious disease"--

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

New Pandemics, Old Politics explores how the modern world adopted a martial script to deal with epidemic disease threats, and how this has failed – repeatedly. Europe first declared ‘war’ on cholera in the 19th century. It didn’t defeat the disease but it served purposes of state and empire. In 1918, influenza emerged from a real war and swept the world unchecked by either policy or medicine. Forty years ago, AIDS challenged the confidence of medical science. AIDS is still with us, but we have learned to live with it – chiefly because of community activism and emancipatory politics.

Today, public health experts and political leaders who failed to listen to them agree on one thing: that we must ‘fight’ Covid-19. There’s a consensus that we should target individual pathogens and suppress them – rather than address the reasons why our societies are so vulnerable. Arguing that this consensus is mistaken, Alex de Waal makes the case for a new democratic public health for the Anthropocene.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The book offers a compelling analysis of how the world is ill-prepared for pandemics, critiquing the existing "war on disease" mindset. It calls for a transformative approach to public health, blending historical insights with a vision for a new public health paradigm. The work is praised for its depth of knowledge and its urgent message for change, providing a thoughtful exploration of past epidemics and lessons relevant today.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781509547807

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 09 April 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 208.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Alex de Waal is Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and a Research Professor at The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

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