Why People Feel Global War Is Imminent: Psychology of Fear. Collective anxiety in an age of uncertainty and constant alert

Across newsfeeds and conversations, the sense that global conflict looms near has become an undercurrent of modern life. This book explores why societies in the 2020s seem trapped in a cycle of alarm and fatalism despite historically complex but measured geopolitical realities. It traces how fear spreads-from official warnings and online speculation to sensational headlines and social media amplifiers-creating emotional readiness for threats that may never arrive.
Drawing from psychology, history, and communication studies, it examines how human perception of risk evolved under continuous digital exposure and crisis-driven media. Instead of judging that fear, it reveals its roots in evolutionary survival patterns, cultural memory, and institutional distrust. By understanding these dynamics, readers grasp not only the triggers of collective panic but also the meaning behind humanity's enduring vigilance.