The onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic greatly affected how liberal democracies govern. Confronted with a virus without a known cure, democracies worldwide took extraordinary measures to safeguard their citizens. However, not all democracies suffered equally amidst the pandemic. In the same manner COVID-19 affects individuals with comorbidities worse than those without such conditions, the pandemic affected weaker democracies more than stronger, more established democracies. This analysis evaluates how the pandemic exposed political comorbidities of two vulnerable democracies, Nigeria and India, ultimately resulting in severe democratic regression.

Matthew would like to thank Dr. Ellen Carnaghan for their support of this project.

"Dr. Carnaghan's course on Democratization completely shifted my perspective on global democracy and challenged me intellectually. After taking this course, I say with confidence I possess a much more robust understanding of the mystery of democracy, a politically mercurial, fragile system of governance too often taken for granted."