As the pandemic swept across the world, the nation-state suddenly took a more prominent view in people’s daily lives. From national lockdowns and vaccine rollout strategies to a shutdown of international travel, the national framework has emerged as a dominating influence on people’s consciousness during the pandemic year. What will this all mean for right-wing populists and nationalists? Is their goal of a world of closed and exclusive communities any closer or has the year 2020 demonstrated the need for international cooperation as well as regional and international public spheres? This session will debate the current state protectionism, right-wing populism, and nationalism as well as offer suggestions on how to continue working towards tolerant and just democracies.