World-System of Vaccine Distribution

Global Inequalities and Geopolitical Conflicts During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12433767
AutoresPhilipp Köncke (0000-0001-8316-6361, University of Erfurt, autor correspondente), Stefan Schmalz (0000-0002-6403-1311, University of Erfurt)
Ano2024
Volume30
Fascículo1
Páginas195-222
Data de publicação2024-04-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoJournal of World-Systems Research (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1076-156X • E-ISSN: 1076-156X
EditoraUniversity Library System, University of Pittsburgh (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.5195/jwsr.2024.1173
OpenAlexW4394875021
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas2
Referências 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