International Society and Its Institutions in Refugee Protection during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Revisiting the Solidarism / Pluralism Debate in English School

Abstract

This study aims at discussing the vulnerability of the Global Refugee Protection Regime (GRPR) during crises by applying the 'international society' concept within the English School of International Relations theory to the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze the efficiency of the international society institutions on GRPR through the policies and practices of states as well as organizations such as the United Nations European Union and Council of Europe. The GRPR has been selected because the 'vulnerability' of this regime has become a matter of academic and political debate as much as the vulnerability of those persons in need of international protection specifically during times of crisis. Our analysis reveals that GRPR-centric practices and policies by the institutions of international society during the first four months after the breakout of COVID-19 suggest a greater vulnerability of the regime.