Governmentality Versus Community: The Impact of the COVID Lockdowns

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Sociology
• Political Science

Background:

• COVID-19 lockdowns imposed unprecedented state control, altering daily life and social structures.
• Governmentality, the exercise of power and control over populations, was evident through biopolitical measures during the pandemic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore how academics in 11 countries experienced state governmentality during the first COVID-19 lockdown.
• To investigate whether community structures at national, neighborhood, and personal levels could offer alternatives to state governmentality.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of diaries kept by academics during the initial COVID-19 lockdown.
• Comparative study across 11 countries examining experiences of governmentality and community.

Main Results:

• National-level discourse instrumentalized 'community' to enforce compliance with pandemic measures.
• Local community compassion fostered horizontal connections, creating spaces resistant to dominant governmentality.
• Digitalized personal networks provided support but lacked critical engagement, remaining narrowly focused.

Conclusions:

• While national rhetoric co-opted community for control, local and personal community initiatives offered genuine alternatives to state governmentality.
• The study highlights the complex interplay between state power, community resilience, and individual experience during crises.