The article compares how East Asia and the West handled the COVID-19 pandemic. East Asia's focus on collective interests led to lower infection and mortality rates compared to the Western emphasis on individual rights. Factors like income inequality, state capacity, and trust in government played a role. The economic impact of the pandemic was also less severe in East Asia. These differences suggest that the East Asian model may be more effective in dealing with crises and could lead to changes in the global economy.