Virus eco2nomics: never let a serious crisis go to waste - what are the questions Inspirations for plural, heterodox, and progressive research programs from a European perspective

Abstract

This essay discusses nine topics that are main challenges for a pluralist-heterodox agenda after the virus. The pandemic is interpreted as a result of predatory human expansionism. It highlights problems of hyperglobalisation, privileges of the global north, new instabilities of the existing financial system, and digital surveillance as a possible consequence of virus biopolitics. The virus is a chance for heterodox economics to initiate a recalibration of the role of the state and its financing, a debate on justice and distribution, and the necessity of a de-growth transformation of economy and society. At the end of each topic, research questions are formulated.