World-System of Vaccine Distribution

Global Inequalities and Geopolitical Conflicts During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Datos Bibliográficos

ID12433767
AutoresPhilipp Köncke (0000-0001-8316-6361, University of Erfurt, autor de correspondencia), Stefan Schmalz (0000-0002-6403-1311, University of Erfurt)
Año2024
Volumen30
Número1
Páginas195-222
Fecha de publicación2024-04-17
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of World-Systems Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1076-156X • E-ISSN: 1076-156X
EditorialUniversity Library System, University of Pittsburgh (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.5195/jwsr.2024.1173
OpenAlexW4394875021
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas2
Referencias citadas16

This article analyzes spatial hierarchies and geopolitical conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic from a world-systems perspective. Drawing on data on global vaccine production and distribution, we argue that the trimodal structure of the capitalist world-system—core, semi-periphery, and periphery—has been reproduced through unequal access to vaccines, constituting hierarchically structured “vaccine worlds”. These vaccine worlds are geopolitically contested, as Chinese companies compete with American and European corporations for influence and markets. Against this background, we outline the Chinese state-led vaccine internationalization strategy with its focus on the global South, and discuss its achievements and contradictions

Distribution (mathematics · Computer Science · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · Mathematics