Since a few years, a discreet but revealing phenomenon is developing in Western societies: the rise of the crisis preparedness culture. Food storage, purchase of electric generators, constitution of water or medicine reserves, acquisition of survival equipment… What was once associated with marginal groups is gradually becoming a more widespread practice. This evolution reflects a profound transformation in the way Western societies view the future and the stability of the world.
The end of the permanent security feeling
For several decades, a large part of Western societies lived in a relatively stable environment. After the end of the Cold War, the dominant idea was of a world gradually pacified, organized around economic globalization and commercial interdependence. In this context, major crises seemed to belong to the past or to concern only distant regions. This perception has profoundly changed in recent years. Several events have contributed to undermining this sense of security. The Covid-19 pandemic showed how vulnerable economic and logistical systems could be to a global shock. Temporary shortages of certain products reminded us that international supply chains could disintegrate very quickly. In addition to this, there have been increasing geopolitical tensions between major powers. The war in Ukraine, tensions around Taiwan, and confrontations in the Middle East have gradually instilled the idea that international stability is no longer guaranteed. In this context, some citizens are starting to consider the possibility of more severe crises, whether economic, energy-related, or military. This psychological shift largely explains the progressive spread of the so-called “prepping” culture, meaning individual preparation for emergency situations.
Preparation as a response to uncertainty
Contrary to the sometimes caricatured image, crisis preparedness is not limited to catastrophic scenarios. For many enthusiasts, it is primarily a pragmatic approach to anticipate disrupted situations. The goal is not necessarily to survive a complete collapse of society, but rather to be able to cope with temporary crises. In this logic, preparation can take relatively simple forms: having food reserves for a few weeks, planning alternative energy sources in case of prolonged power outage, or organizing communication and transportation means in emergency situations. Some families also equip themselves with first aid materials or water filtration systems. This trend is also fueled by a broader transformation in individuals’ relationship with institutions. In many Western democracies, part of the population has expressed limited trust in the states’ ability to effectively manage major crises. The difficulties faced by some governments during the pandemic have reinforced this perception. In this context, individual preparedness appears to some as a form of insurance against uncertainty. It allows them to regain some control in an environment perceived as increasingly unstable.
A symptom of a more uncertain era
The rise of the crisis preparedness culture can be interpreted as a broader symptom of the transformations in the contemporary world. Western societies are simultaneously confronted with several sources of uncertainty: geopolitical tensions, economic changes, energy transition, and rapid technological transformations. These developments nourish a diffuse sense of the global system’s fragility. Recent crises have shown that unforeseen events can quickly cause rapid and sometimes long-lasting disruptions. In a heavily interconnected world, a health crisis, a regional conflict, or an energy shock can quickly have global effects. Faced with this uncertainty, individuals’ reactions vary. Some continue to trust institutions and collective mechanisms to manage crises. Others prefer to adopt a more autonomous approach by preparing themselves for difficult situations. The progressive spread of this culture of preparedness does not necessarily mean that Western societies are heading towards an imminent collapse. Instead, it reflects a shift in the collective psychological climate. In a world where crises seem to follow one another more quickly, preparedness appears to some as a way to reduce anxiety about the future.
In this sense, the development of “prepping” constitutes less of a rupture than an adaptation to an era marked by strategic uncertainty. When the future seems less predictable, the temptation to prepare for the worst becomes a rational response for a growing segment of the population.
