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An extension of the security mode concept to whole societies or communities. When a social group experiences prolonged instability, threat, or trauma, it can enter a collective security mode—prioritizing safety, order, and cohesion over freedom, creativity, and dissent. Institutions tighten, outsiders are suspected, and conformity becomes a virtue. The theory explains how entire nations can shift toward authoritarianism during crises, and how communities can remain stuck in defensive postures long after the threat has passed. Exiting social security mode requires not just material safety but also collective rituals of healing and trust‑rebuilding.
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