Political Economy of Controversies Over the Origin of Covid-19 and Its Impact on the World and India

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of Covid-19's origins, global responses, and its socioeconomic impacts. It examines scientific evidence regarding the virus's natural or artificial origins while addressing conspiracy theories and geopolitical tensions. The study analyzes WHO's investigation, US pandemic management under Trump, and the broader political economy of environmental degradation and includes: - Comprehensive analysis of Covid-19 origins examining both natural and man-made theories with scientific evidence - Critical examination of conspiracy theories and geopolitical targeting of China during the pandemic - Assessment of WHO's investigation into coronavirus origins and the politicization of global health governance - Analysis of US pandemic response under Trump administration and its impact on global leadership - Political economy perspective on environmental degradation from Holocene to Anthropocene era The book explores the pandemic's economic consequences globally and specifically in India, with particular attention to migrant labor conditions during lockdown periods. This title has been co-published with Aakar books. Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the print edition in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Akina Venkateswarlu taught for 16 years in government colleges and worked for about 7 years in the Centre for Economic and Social Studies (CESS), Hyderabad. He was ICSSR Senior Fellow (2012-14) at CESS. His recent book, Political Economy of Agricultural Development in India has been well received.

Foreword Preface cum Acknowledgments 1 Introduction and Objective of the Study 2 Origin of Covid-19: Is it Man-Made or Natural Organism? 3 Conspiracy Theories on the Origin of Covid-19 4 China Targeted for Covid-19-Its Counters and Defence of Others 5 World Health Organisation's Study into the Origin of Coronoavirus-Politicisation 6 The United States Could Not Tackle Covid-19 Due to Trump's Individualistic Approach and His Politics 7 Political Economy of Environmental Pollution- Holocene to Anthropocene-Climate Change Conventions: Rio to Kyoto and Paris 8 Political Economy of Ecological Damage Accelerated by Neoliberal Capitalism and Globalisation 9 The Pandemic Generated the Conditions for an Adverse Impact on the Global Economy 10 Political Economy of the US Global Hegemony- Its Status in the Post-Covid Era 11 Extent of Spread of Covid-19 and Its Impact on the Indian Economy 12 Political Economy of Migrant Labour in India-The Extent and Growth-Impact of Covid-19 on Migrant Labour During the Lockdown Periods Summary and Conclusion References