Capitalism, Innovations, and Health after Covid-19

This open access book examines how the Covid-19 pandemic exposed structural tensions in innovation systems and capitalist models in the global economy, with a particular focus on Asian healthcare systems. Structured in three parts, the edited volume first interrogates systemic crises in capitalism and innovation, then analyzes Covid-19 responses as a critical moment for rethinking health governance, and finally presents Asian experiences that challenge dominant models. Chapters draw on comparative political economy, science and technology studies (STS), and health policy to illuminate how Asia’s diverse trajectories offer lessons for more inclusive and sustainable innovation.

Written by an international team of scholars, this volume contributes to debates on post-pandemic capitalism, technological development, and global healthcare management by combining conceptual rigor with empirical depth. It will appeal to researchers and advanced students in political economy, health economics and management, innovation studies, STS, and public health more broadly, as well as policymakers in these fields.

Sébastien Lechevalier is Professor of Economics at EHESS, Paris, specializing in Japanese economy and Asian capitalism. His research focuses on innovation systems and socio-economic transformations. He is author of The Great Transformation of Japanese Capitalism and editor of Innovation Beyond Technology .

Jean-Paul Gaudillière is Senior Researcher at Inserm and Professor at EHESS. His work examines pharmaceutical capitalism, health governance, and global health politics. His recent books include Global Health and the New World Order and Global Health for All .

Kathryn Ibata-Arens is Vincent de Paul Professor of Political Economy and Endowed Professor of Environmental Diplomacy at DePaul University. Her research addresses innovation and entrepreneurship in Asia, biomedical policy, and responsible innovation. Ibata-Arens is the author of Pandemic Medicine and Beyond Technonationalism .

Kayo Takuma is Professor of International Politics at Keio University. Her research focuses on global health governance and Asian regional health cooperation. She has published widely on health diplomacy and international political order and served on G7 global health working groups.