Over the past few years, a discreet but revealing phenomenon has been developing in Western societies: the rise of crisis preparedness culture. Food storage, purchase of generators, stockpiling water or medications, acquiring survival equipment… What was once associated with fringe groups is gradually becoming a more prevalent practice. This evolution reflects a profound transformation in the relationship of Western societies with the future and global stability.
The end of the sense of permanent security
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 that of a gradually pacified world, organized around economic globalization and commercial interdependence. In this context, major crises seemed to belong to the past or only concern 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. Added to this are the increasing geopolitical tensions between major powers. The war in Ukraine, tensions around Taiwan, and confrontations in the Middle East gradually installed the idea that international stability was no longer guaranteed. In this context, some citizens are starting to consider the possibility of more serious crises, whether economic, energy-related, or military. This psychological shift largely explains the gradual spread of the so-called “prepping” culture, individual preparation for emergency situations.
Preparedness as a response to uncertainty
Contrary to the sometimes caricatured image, crisis preparedness is not limited to catastrophic scenarios. For many followers, it is primarily a pragmatic approach to anticipating disrupted situations. The goal is not necessarily to survive a total collapse of society, but rather to be able to cope with temporary crises. In this logic, preparedness can take relatively simple forms: having food reserves for a few weeks, planning alternative energy sources in the event of prolonged outages, or organizing communication and transportation means in emergency situations. Some families also equip themselves with first aid supplies or water filtration systems. This trend is also fueled by a broader transformation in individuals’ relationship with institutions. In many Western democracies, some of the population expresses limited confidence 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 regaining a sense of control in an environment perceived as increasingly unstable.
A symptom of a more uncertain era
The rise of crisis preparedness culture can be interpreted as a broader symptom of contemporary world transformations. Western societies are simultaneously facing several sources of uncertainty: geopolitical tensions, economic changes, energy transition, and rapid technological transformations. These evolutions fuel a diffuse sense of fragility in the global system. Recent crises have shown that unforeseen events can provoke rapid and sometimes lasting disruptions. In a highly interconnected world, a health crisis, a regional conflict, or an energy shock can quickly have global consequences. 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 gradual spread of this preparedness culture does not necessarily mean that Western societies are heading towards imminent collapse. It rather reflects an evolution in the collective psychological climate. In a world where crises seem to occur more rapidly, preparedness appears to some as a way to reduce anxiety about the future.
In this sense, the development of “prepping” constitutes less 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 an increasing portion of the population.
