Pandemilerin Avrasya’da Küreselleşme ve Yabancı Düşmanlığı Üzerindeki Ekonomik ve Sosyal Etkileri

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışma, COVID-19 pandemisinin küreselleşme süreçleri üzerindeki etkilerini, pandeminin yeni ayrımcılık biçimlerini nasıl tetiklediğini ve özellikle Orta Asya ülkelerinde mevcut toplumsal ve ekonomik sorunlara olan yansımalarını analiz etmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Pandemilerin tarihsel olarak toplumların ve ekonomilerin dönüşümünde oynadığı rol göz önüne alınarak, COVID-19’un küresel düzeyde yarattığı ekonomik daralma, işsizlik, yoksulluk ve ayrımcılık gibi sosyal sonuçların kapsamlı bir değerlendirmesi hedeflenmiştir. Yöntem: Araştırmada karşılaştırmalı tarihsel analiz yöntemi kullanılmış; Kara Veba ve İspanyol Gribi gibi önceki büyük pandemilerin toplumsal ve ekonomik etkileri ile COVID-19’un sonuçları karşılaştırılmıştır. Ayrıca, uluslararası kuruluşlar ve güvenilir veri sağlayıcılarının ikincil verileri ile Batı Avrupa ve Orta Asya ülkelerine ilişkin işsizlik, ekonomik büyüme ve ırkçı-ayrımcı şiddet olayları istatistikleri değerlendirilmiştir. Orta Asya ülkeleri için bölgesel raporlar ve uluslararası kuruluşların güncel verileri temel alınmıştır. Bulgular: COVID-19 pandemisi, küresel tedarik zincirlerinde ciddi kesintilere yol açarak dünya ticaretinde ve ekonomik büyümede belirgin bir daralma yaratmıştır. Hükümetlerin sınır kapatma, karantina ve hareket kısıtlamaları gibi önlemleri, istihdam kayıplarını artırmış ve özellikle gençler ile kadınlar başta olmak üzere kırılgan grupları orantısız şekilde etkilemiştir. Pandeminin yarattığı korku ve belirsizlik ortamı, “öteki” olarak görülen gruplara (yabancılar, göçmenler, etnik azınlıklar) yönelik ırkçı ve yabancı düşmanı tutumların artmasına neden olmuş, bu durum “xeno-ırkçılık” kavramı ile açıklanmıştır. Batı Avrupa’da ayrımcı şiddet olaylarında artış gözlenirken, Orta Asya’da bu tür davranışlara dair belirgin bir veri bulunmamıştır. Orta Asya’da ise ekonomik etkiler, özellikle gelir kaybı, işsizlik, göçmen dövizlerinde azalma ve kadınların işgücü piyasasındaki kırılganlığı şeklinde ortaya çıkmıştır. Sonuç: COVID-19 pandemisi, küreselleşmeyi sona erdirmemiş; ancak ekonomik ve sosyal eşitsizlikleri derinleştirmiştir. Pandemi, küreselleşmenin kazananları ile kaybedenleri arasındaki uçurumu artırmış, toplumsal dayanışma ve adaletin önemini bir kez daha ortaya koymuştur. Pandemi sonrası dönemde, sosyal sigorta sistemlerinin güçlendirilmesi ve kırılgan grupların desteklenmesi gerekliliği vurgulanmaktadır. Özgünlük: Bu çalışma, pandemilerin sadece sağlık değil, aynı zamanda toplumsal ayrışma ve ekonomik yapı üzerinde de kalıcı etkiler yarattığını, özellikle xeno-ırkçılık kavramının güncel pandemiyle birlikte öne çıktığını vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• ekonomik küreselleşme
• küresel değer zincirleri
• damgalama
• yabancı düşmanlığı

Economic and Social Effects of Pandemics on Globalization and Xenophobia in Eurasia

Abstract

Aim: This article aims to analyze the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on globalization processes, the emergence of new forms of discrimination triggered by the pandemic, and the implications for current social and economic realities, with a particular focus on Central Asian countries. Considering the historical role of pandemics in transforming societies and economies, the study provides a comprehensive assessment of the global economic downturn, unemployment, poverty, and social discrimination induced by COVID-19. Methods: A comparative historical analysis was conducted, juxtaposing the societal impacts of major past pandemics (Black Death, Spanish flu) with those of COVID-19. Secondary data from international organizations and reputable survey institutions were utilized to evaluate unemployment, economic growth, and incidents of racist-xenophobic violence in Western European and Central Asian countries. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe disruptions in global supply chains-the arteries of economic globalization-leading to a marked contraction in world trade and economic growth. Government measures such as border closures, quarantines, and mobility restrictions exacerbated job losses and disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, especially youth and women. The climate of fear and uncertainty fuelled by the pandemic increased racist and xenophobic attitudes toward “others” (foreigners, migrants, ethnic minorities), conceptualized as “xeno-racism.” While such discriminatory behaviors were widely reported in Western countries, no significant evidence was found in Central Asia, though the region suffered deep economic impacts. Conclusion: The research concludes that while COVID-19 will not end globalization, neglecting the human factor may inflict greater harm on globalization and the economy than the pandemic itself. Ongoing and future studies are needed to fully understand the long-term consequences of the pandemic on economies and societies. Originality: This study highlights that pandemics generate lasting effects not only on health but also on social cohesion and economic structures, emphasizing the emergence of xeno-racism as a distinctive phenomenon during the current pandemic.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• economic globalization
• global value chains
• stigmatization
• xenophobia.

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