Introduction: Crisis as a Concept

Crisis has become one of the most salient concepts of the twenty-first century, capturing a range of social transformations, disruptions, and challenges that have shaped and continue to reshape global society. The frequency and variety of crises—economic downturns, political upheavals, climate-related disasters, health pandemics, and technological disruptions—have garnered significant public and academic attention, altering institutions, policies, and social norms. Each crisis introduces new complexities, sparking varied responses and adaptations that leave lasting societal imprints. While the term “crisis” is ubiquitous, its meaning and implications often shift based on the context, posing essential questions about the consistency and application of the concept itself. Is a crisis in economicsEconomic crisis impacts conceptualized like a crisis in environmental science? Do political crises share common characteristics with crises of public healthPublic health or technology? These inquiries raise a broader question about the very nature of crisis: Is there a universal understanding, or does it morph according to discipline, context, and societal perception? Understanding “crisis” in its many forms offers valuable insight into how societies identify, react to, and recover from disruptive events. In academic discussions, societal discourse, and policy formulation, the term “crisis” is a powerful framing tool that influences how events are perceived and responded to. This introductory chapter delves into these complexities, providing an overview of the questions and themes addressed in this volume. It explores the theoretical and practical dimensions of crisis across multiple fields. It emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, highlighting the commonalities and divergences in crisis interpretation in economicsEconomic crisis impacts, political science, environmental studies, anthropology, and sociology. By comparing these perspectives, this chapter aims to uncover the nuances of “crisis” as a concept, enhancing our understanding of how crises are constructed, perceived, and managed in different domains. Furthermore, the chapter introduces each contributor’s focus and insights, presenting each chapter's unique approaches and findings and framing the broader conversation on how we might advance our understanding of crises in today’s complex, interwoven world.