Summary
Back in the mid-1960s, I recall my professor of abnormal psychology saying that 20% of society is severely deranged, and 20% is marginally deranged. That was 60 years ago. I wonder what that profound professor would think about today’s society. It feels more like 25% and 25% equallying 50% that have lost sight of their responsibilities and their culture. Collectivism and entitlement have replaced any semblance of rational behavior.
Radical ideologies, religious integration in governments, or mass mental illness can cause the disintegration of a society. It can also be caused when self-sufficiency is replaced with dependency and a sense of entitlement. Additionally, intrusive governments into personal lives to the point where individuals feel trapped can lead to societal breakdown.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12043138/
I. Foundations of a Functional Society
A stable society is built on essential pillars: language, rule of Law, family, borders, culture, private property rights, and freedom of religious preference. These elements foster identity, continuity, and cohesion. Without them, societies risk fragmentation and collapse. Historical examples abound—from the fall of the Roman Empire to the disintegration of the Maya civilization—where the erosion of cultural identity and institutional integrity led to societal collapse.
Equally vital is the balance between individual freedom, personal sovereignty, and societal responsibility. A functioning society must allow for personal sovereignty and the pursuit of happiness, but within a framework that promotes accountability and mutual respect. This balance enables self-sufficiency, freedom of expression, and constructive self-interest, which are essential for innovation and progress.
II. Erosion of Ethical and Social Norms
In recent decades, self-interest has become radicalized. Increasingly, individuals justify harmful actions—such as theft, property destruction, and violence—as acceptable means to achieve personal goals. The Ferguson riots and the Los Angeles riots of 1992 are stark examples where civil unrest, initially sparked by legitimate grievances, devolved into widespread looting and violence.
This trend reflects a broader disregard for the property and lives of others, reducing them to mere opportunities for exploitation. Social media often amplifies this mindset, rewarding provocative and selfish behavior with attention and influence.
Moreover, dignity and self-respect, once cornerstones of civil society, have been replaced by narcissism and entitlement. The decline of basic manners—such as holding doors, using respectful language, and treating elders with courtesy—is well-documented.
In public spaces and professional settings, civility is increasingly overshadowed by confrontation and incivility.
III. Institutional Decay and Entitlement
This moral decay is reflected in the behavior of government institutions and officials, many of whom operate under a mindset of entitlement. Instead of serving the public, they manipulate systems for personal or political gain. The unchecked growth of entitlement programs—such as Social Security and Medicare—has contributed significantly to the national debt, with 46% of federal spending now allocated to these programs.
This entitlement mentality fosters problematic incentive structures, where individuals are sometimes paid more to stay home than to work. Such policies undermine the American ethos of industriousness and self-reliance.
Furthermore, while rules and regulations are essential for order, they can become so burdensome that they paralyze society. Excessive bureaucracy stifles innovation, delays progress, and erodes public trust. In healthcare, education, and government, red tape often prevents the timely implementation of solutions.
IV. Bureaucratic Overreach and Societal Consequences
At the heart of this dysfunction is the administrative state—a sprawling network of agencies and regulations that increasingly dictate the terms of daily life. Originally designed to ensure accountability, bureaucracy has evolved into a forceful and unaccountable power structure.
The “Red Tape Syndrome”—a term describing the entanglement of organizations in complex rules and procedures—illustrates how bureaucracy can stifle creativity and responsiveness. In government agencies, innovation is often delayed or abandoned due to layers of approval and risk aversion.
This overreach breeds frustration and disengagement, leading citizens to feel powerless and disconnected from their own governance. In extreme cases, this can result in fascism and tyranny, where the state no longer serves the people but controls them through coercion and fear.
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Balance
To restore societal health, we must reaffirm foundational values: respect for the Law, dignity, personal accountability, and civic duty. We must reform institutions to serve rather than control and reinvigorate cultural norms that promote mutual respect and ethical behavior.
This is not a call for nostalgia, but for renewal—a deliberate effort to rebuild the social contract and ensure that freedom, responsibility, and community coexist in harmony.