Federal Institutions and Strategic Policy Responses to COVID-19 Pandemic

This essay examines the policy response of federal and regional governments in federations to COVID-19 crisis. We theorize that is an outcome strategic interaction among incumbents shadow their varying accountability for health repercussions from disruptive consequences public measures. Using data Public Health Protective Policy Index Project, we study how variables suggested by our theory correlate with overall stringency measures as well contribution government making these policies. Our results suggest taken are at least stringent those non-federations, there a cluster on which bulk crisis carried subnational governments. find is, average, higher parliamentary systems; it appears decline proximity next election presidential republics, increase fragmentation legislative party system systems. analysis also suggests when carries significant share responsibility healthcare provision, tends play role taking non-medical steps pandemic.