Apocalypse Beliefs Drive Action

A growing share of people now expect global catastrophe in their lifetimes, and whether they blame human causes (hubris, technology, policy failures) or supernatural forces predicts whether they advocate interventionist policies or fatalistic withdrawal. Historical evidence shows such beliefs cut across classes and can channel either constructive reform or violent movements depending on elite cues and social structure. — Framing of existential threats (human vs supernatural causes) shapes public support for regulation, mobilization for issues like AI and climate, and the risk of radical political violence.