A Constructivist Analysis of Liberia’s Ebola Response
Keywords:
Liberia; Ebola Crisis; Sovereignty and Legitimacy; Constructivism in International Relations; Global Health Governance
Abstract
This article examines how Liberia established its sovereignty, legitimacy, and international identity during the Ebola crisis of 2014-2015. While much existing research focuses on institutional weaknesses and material dependence, this study employs a constructivist qualitative methodology that combines discourse analysis and content analysis of governmental communications, United Nations resolutions, international reports, and international media coverage. The analysis focuses on identifying patterns in state rhetoric, norm alignment, and engagement strategies with international actors. The findings indicate that Liberia’s response was influenced not only by material constraints but also by international efforts to align with international norms, construct a credible national identity, and assert legitimacy in the global arena. By analyzing Liberia’s experience, this article contributes to discussions on global health governance, African statehood, and the application of constructivist theory in international relations.
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References
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29. Time Magazine. (2014, July 31). Sierra Leone declares health emergency amid Ebola outbreak. Time. https://time.com/3063174/ebola-sierra-leone-africa-emergency/
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31. United Nations Security Council. (2014, September 18). With spread of Ebola outpacing response, Security Council adopts resolution 2177 (2014) urging immediate action, end to isolation of affected states (SC/11566). https://press.un.org/en/2014/sc11566.doc.htm
32. Wane, E.-G., Williams, P. D., & Kihara-Hunt, A. (2019). The future of peacekeeping: New models and related capabilities [Independent study commissioned by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations]. United Nations. https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/the_future_of_peacekeeping_new_models_and_related_capabilities_-_nov1.pdf
33. Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is what states make of it: The social construction of power politics. International Organization, 46(2), 391–425. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027764
34. Wilkinson, A., & Fairhead, J. (2016). Comparison of social resistance to Ebola response in Sierra Leone and Guinea suggests explanations lie in political configurations not culture. Critical Public Health, 27(1), 495 https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2016.1252034
35. Williams, P. D. (2013). Fighting for peace in Somalia. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/fighting-for-peace-in-somalia-9780198724544
36. World Health Organization. (2015). Ebola outbreak in Liberia is over. World Health Organization. https://www.afro.who.int/news/ebola-outbreak-liberia-over
37. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Liberia launches operational plan to accelerate response against Ebola. WHO Africa Regional Office. https://www.afro.who.int/news/liberia-launches-operational-plan-accelerate-response-against-ebola
38. World Health Organization. (2023). Liberia officially closes Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors men’s health screening program. WHO Africa Regional Office. https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/liberia-officially-closes-ebola-virus-disease-evd-survivors-mens-health-screening-program
39. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Ebola West Africa, March 2014–2016: Overview. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/ebola-outbreak-2014-2016-West-Africa?utm
40. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Liberia: A country and its capital are overwhelmed with Ebola cases. WHO Newsroom. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/one-year-into-the-ebola-epidemic/liberia-a-country-and-its-capital-are-overwhelmed-with-ebola-cases
41. Oxfam International. (n.d.). Bringing communities on board was key to Liberia’s success, says Oxfam. https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/bringing-communities-board-was-key-liberias-success-says-oxfam
42. Yurtseven, G. (2019). State failure or state formation? Neopatrimonialism and its limitations in Africa. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/pdf/92895?utm
2. Adler, E. (1997). Seizing the middle ground: Constructivism in world politics. European Journal of International Relations, 3(3), 319–363. https://doi.org/10.1177/1354066197003003003
3. Andren, R. (2017). The African Union and its behaviour during the Ebola outbreak 2014–2016: Steps towards understanding actorness and effectiveness (Master’s thesis, Swedish Defence University). DiVA Portal. https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1111601/FULLTEXT01.pdf
4. African Union. (2016, February 11). African Union support to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA). African Union. https://au.int/en/pressreleases/20160211
5. Baker, A. (2014, November 13). The Iron Lady’s ultimate test. Time. https://time.com/3597350/the-iron-ladys-ultimate-test/
6. BBC News. (2014, October 19). Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urges world help on Ebola. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29680934
7. Biersteker, T. J., & Weber, C. (Eds.). (1996). State sovereignty as social construct. Cambridge University Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604972/
8. Brahm, E. (2004). Sovereignty. In Beyond intractability. https://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/sovereignty
9. Brooks, M. (2015). Ebola goes global: The future of development accountability and media empowerment in Liberia. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/ebola-goes-global-the-future-of-development-accountability-and-media-empowerment-in-liberia/
10. Cakouros, B. E., Gum, J., Levine, D. L., Lewis, J., Wright, A. H., Dahn, B., & Talbert-Slagle, K. (2024). Exploring equity in global health collaborations: A qualitative study of donor and recipient power dynamics in Liberia. Global Health Action, 17(1), 1–12. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10946382/
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Ebola surveillance—Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 65(Suppl. 3), 35–43. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/65/su/su6503a6.htm
12. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Liberia Ebola epidemic: Management of epidemic through incident management system (IMS).
https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm63e1114a4.htm
13. Checkel, J. T. (1999). Norms, institutions, and national identity in contemporary Europe. International Studies Quarterly, 43(1), 83–114. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2600966
14. Clapham, C. (1996). Africa and the international system: The politics of state survival. Cambridge University Press. https://assets.cambridge.org/97805215/72071/sample/9780521572071ws.pdf
15. Dalberto, G. (2020). Coloniality and security: Discourses and practices of security sector reforms in Liberia [Doctoral dissertation, Universidade de São Paulo]. USP Theses. https://www.teses.usp.br/teses/disponiveis/8/8132/tde-04112020-212829/publico/2020_GermanaDalberto_VCorr.pdf
16. Englebert, P., & Tull, D. M. (2008). Post-conflict reconstruction in Africa: Flawed ideas about failed states. International Security, 32(4), 106–139. https://www.jstor.org/stable/30129793
17. Fidler, D. P. (2004). SARS, governance, and the globalization of disease. Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/book/10.1057/9780230006263
18. Finnemore, M. (2009). National interests in international society. Cornell University Press. https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9780801483233/national-interests-in-international-society
19. Harman, S., & Papamichail, A. (2024). Global health governance. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Global-Health-Governance/Harman-Papamichail/p/book/9781138560369
20. Holm, M., & Sending, O. J. (2018). States before relations: On misrecognition and the bifurcated regime of sovereignty. Review of International Studies, 44(5), 829–847. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0260210518000372
21. Kamradt-Scott, A. (2015). Managing global health security: The World Health Organization and disease outbreak control. Palgrave Macmillan. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274136790_Managing_Global_Health_Security
22. Liberian Embassy in the U.S. (2014). A strong response to the Ebola threat in Liberia: President Sirleaf sets up and heads a task force. https://www.liberianembassyus.org/in-the-news/a-strong-response-to-the-ebola-threat-in-liberia-president-sirleaf-sets-up-and-heads-a
23. Moon, S., Sridhar, D., Pate, M. A., Jha, A. K., Clinton, C., Delaunay, S., & Piot, P. (2015). Will Ebola change the game? Ten essential reforms before the next pandemic: The report of the Harvard-LSHTM independent panel on the global response to Ebola. The Lancet, 386(10009), 2204–2221. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)00946-0
24. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). The Ebola epidemic in West Africa: Proceedings of a workshop. The National Academies Press. https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/23653/the-ebola-epidemic-in-west-africa-proceedings-of-a-workshop
25. Regenerative Economics. (2024–2025). Origins, legitimacy, and power of states (5.1.2). https://www.regenerativeeconomics.earth/regenerative-economics-textbook/5-the-state/5-1-what-is-the-state/5-1-2-origins-legitimacy-and-power-of-states
26. Rotberg, R. I. (2003). State failure and state weakness in a time of terror. Brookings Institution Press. https://assets.cambridge.org/97805215/72071/sample/978052157207
27. Sending, O. J. (2015). The politics of expertise: Competing for authority in global governance. University of Michigan Press. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/292150535_The_Politics_of_Expertise
28. Taylor, R. C. R. (2021). Global governance of pandemics. Global Governance, 27(3), 495–515. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8441821/
29. Time Magazine. (2014, July 31). Sierra Leone declares health emergency amid Ebola outbreak. Time. https://time.com/3063174/ebola-sierra-leone-africa-emergency/
30. United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). (n.d.). UN mission for Ebola emergency response. https://ebolaresponse.un.org/un-mission-ebola-emergency-response-unmeer
31. United Nations Security Council. (2014, September 18). With spread of Ebola outpacing response, Security Council adopts resolution 2177 (2014) urging immediate action, end to isolation of affected states (SC/11566). https://press.un.org/en/2014/sc11566.doc.htm
32. Wane, E.-G., Williams, P. D., & Kihara-Hunt, A. (2019). The future of peacekeeping: New models and related capabilities [Independent study commissioned by the United Nations Department of Peace Operations]. United Nations. https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/the_future_of_peacekeeping_new_models_and_related_capabilities_-_nov1.pdf
33. Wendt, A. (1992). Anarchy is what states make of it: The social construction of power politics. International Organization, 46(2), 391–425. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0020818300027764
34. Wilkinson, A., & Fairhead, J. (2016). Comparison of social resistance to Ebola response in Sierra Leone and Guinea suggests explanations lie in political configurations not culture. Critical Public Health, 27(1), 495 https://doi.org/10.1080/09581596.2016.1252034
35. Williams, P. D. (2013). Fighting for peace in Somalia. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/fighting-for-peace-in-somalia-9780198724544
36. World Health Organization. (2015). Ebola outbreak in Liberia is over. World Health Organization. https://www.afro.who.int/news/ebola-outbreak-liberia-over
37. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Liberia launches operational plan to accelerate response against Ebola. WHO Africa Regional Office. https://www.afro.who.int/news/liberia-launches-operational-plan-accelerate-response-against-ebola
38. World Health Organization. (2023). Liberia officially closes Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivors men’s health screening program. WHO Africa Regional Office. https://www.afro.who.int/countries/liberia/news/liberia-officially-closes-ebola-virus-disease-evd-survivors-mens-health-screening-program
39. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Ebola West Africa, March 2014–2016: Overview. https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/ebola-outbreak-2014-2016-West-Africa?utm
40. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Liberia: A country and its capital are overwhelmed with Ebola cases. WHO Newsroom. https://www.who.int/news-room/spotlight/one-year-into-the-ebola-epidemic/liberia-a-country-and-its-capital-are-overwhelmed-with-ebola-cases
41. Oxfam International. (n.d.). Bringing communities on board was key to Liberia’s success, says Oxfam. https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/bringing-communities-board-was-key-liberias-success-says-oxfam
42. Yurtseven, G. (2019). State failure or state formation? Neopatrimonialism and its limitations in Africa. E-International Relations. https://www.e-ir.info/pdf/92895?utm
Published
2025-11-30
How to Cite
Williams, M. N. (2025). A Constructivist Analysis of Liberia’s Ebola Response. European Scientific Journal, ESJ, 21(32), 37. https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2025.v21n32p37
Section
ESJ Humanities
Copyright (c) 2025 Michlyne Nyenegahn Williams
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
