Quoted: Quoted: Long term: The continued decline of our civilization leading either to an oppressive police state or to anarchy where survival of the fittest rules. no such thing will ever happen.  Just look at Africa.  Survival of the fittest turns into druglords, and even that IMHO is still a sort of structure

A structure in which there is no law and armed gangs continuously war with each other. These same gangs will take whatever they want from anyone, kill anyone with no fear of consequences. The majority of the population left to fend for themselves, most are starving, there is no medical care, no emergency services of any kind.

If this isnt a SHTF Anarchy & Survival of the fittest/strongest situation, I don't know what is.

Quoted: Personally, I think it is an economic problem that is the worst type of event to face.

no matter what happens, the economy goes in the crapper when it happens.  basically, its like the only guaranteed feature of all shtf scenarios.  Plan for it, because it WILL happen.  Now as far as other disasters.. natural disasters are most likely; earthquake, hurricane, tsunami, snow, flooding, etc..