Segmentation of Social Norms and Emergence of Social Conflicts Through COVID-19 Laws

Abstract In the name of combating COVID-19, many countries have enacted laws that restrict citizens’ freedom movement and to operate businesses. These attempt use expressive effects law legal sanctions make people conform norms different from pre-existing social norms. The economic theory predicts when deviate significantly norms, they can cause protest or violate them, leading a division possible conflicts not only between state its citizens but also among with beliefs. Using Japan’s COVID-19 as case study, this paper examines under what conditions aim change fail side are in such cases.