<p>This article explores how the concept of “learned helplessness,” typically defined as an individual psychological phenomenon, can also operate on a collective social level. Originally introduced into the literature through the experimental work of American psychologist Martin Elias Peter Seligman, learned helplessness refers to a condition in which individuals, after repeated exposure to uncontrollable negative experiences, lose motivation, become passive, and cease efforts to change their circumstances. We propose that a similar process can occur in societies exposed to collective trauma. It argues that this phenomenon can be conceptualized using the term “collective learned helplessness,” a notion not yet extensively addressed in academic literature. This article calls for the integration of the concept of collective learned helplessness into broader academic discourse. It suggests that interdisciplinary research on this topic could contribute to more proactive responses to global challenges such as the climate crisis, income inequality, and the crisis of democracy.</p>