Social policy responses and social development during and after the unequal pandemic

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has had daunting economic and social impacts on many aspects of human life, but these impacts have been unequally distributed, with the brunt of health and labour market risks falling on socio-economically disadvantaged individuals and families. We argue that the welfare state could help mitigate such social risks and facilitate social solidarity. Moreover, NGOs (and social groups) play a prominent and supplemental role in developing welfare states in the face of the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic potentially raises an opportunity to rethink the current structures of the capitalist economy and the welfare state, and result in more ambitious reforms in East and Southeast Asian welfare states.