Status-Based Asymmetries in Relative Deprivation During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified existing inequalities by disproportionately affecting marginalized groups, which should differentially affect perceptions of, and responses to, inequality. Accordingly, the present study examines the effects of the pandemic on feelings of individual- and group-based relative deprivation (IRD and GRD, respectively), as well as whether these effects differ by ethnicity. By comparing matched samples of participants assessed before and during the first 6 months of the pandemic ( Ntotal = 21,131), our results demonstrate the unique impacts of the pandemic on IRD and GRD among ethnic minorities and majorities. Moreover, our results reveal the status-based indirect effects of the pandemic on support for both collective action and income redistribution via IRD and GRD. As the pandemic rages on, these results foreshadow long-term, status-specific consequences for political mobilization and support for social change.

Economic asymmetries and the new “markets of tomorrow”

“…Unlike Adeleke et al (2022), Almulhim (2023), Mandl (2023) and Zhang and Du (2023), the findings suggest that economic changes (the viral threat, digitalization, and sustainable development) do not provoke destabilization instead they serve as a catalyst for the expansion of emerging markets. We verified the significant stimulating contribution of the viral threat (28.56% in developed countries and 22.20% in developing countries—in support of Lilly et al, 2023; Ullah et al, 2023), digitalization (42.22% in developed countries and 52.07% in developing countries—in support of Kong et al, 2022; Yang et al, 2023) and sustainable development (10.64% and only in developing countries—in support of Blok, 2018; Yuan et al, 2018). We focus on effectively utilizing management strategies to develop and succeed in emerging markets, resulting in positive outcomes.…”

“…• Country's position during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (through the lens of COVID-19 cases, the socio-economic position of the country and the readiness of the healthcare system for the pandemic) (Lilly et al, 2023;Ullah et al, 2023).…”

“…The current literature focuses on the factors contributing to economic transformation asymmetries. By systematizing these factors, the following key asymmetries have been identified: Country's position during the COVID‐19 pandemic in 2020 (through the lens of COVID‐19 cases, the socio‐economic position of the country and the readiness of the healthcare system for the pandemic) (Lilly et al, 2023; Ullah et al, 2023). Digital competitiveness (Kong et al, 2022; Yang et al, 2023).…”