A multipolar trap, as described by Nate Hagens, refers to a situation where multiple actors, each acting in their own self-interest, become ensnared in a collective outcome that is suboptimal or even detrimental for all involved. This dynamic occurs because each actor faces incentives that push them to make decisions that, while seemingly beneficial in isolation, lead to destructive outcomes when aggregated. These traps are prevalent in complex systems where individual rationality does not align with collective rationality, such as in economic markets, environmental degradation, or resource competitions. Hagens elucidates that the inherent difficulty in escaping a multipolar trap lies in the coordination problem: while each participant would benefit from mutual cooperation, the lack of trust and the fear of being exploited compel them to continue on a path that ultimately harms everyone.

See also: fossil fuel, exponential growth, nuclear power, nuclear weapon, nuclear exchange