I think that larger problem is called the human ego and it is pretty much prevalent in all countries and all societies.However I do think that there is hope that as a species we will transcend this condition and wake up to realize our true identity and full potential and use our ego as a productive tool and not a destructive one.

It seems like a long, slow process from the human perspective of time but where the bigger picture is concerned, I thnik it's playing out as it's supposed to and a real shift in consciousness is happening.The more we wake up to the fact that the real foe or enemy is our egoic perception, the more aligned we become with that higher power that operates from a place of Divine virtue. We no longer become caught up in that entanglement of "petty and ephemeral affairs, but direct that energy toward the sustainable good of all.

Morals and duties are no longer an issue because the way of life we adapt is unquestionably one of the highest respect, compassion and integrity for all sentient beings.

Great question Vesuvius,

I think the problem or part of it lies with leveling out. A Greek or any EU member land person working in a shoe factory (as an example) makes as much as one day as a person in a low priced land does in a week (about).And when shopping/spending money people look for shoe deals those deals are from low priced lands.so the money leaves Greece and the person in the low price land makes more than his father did. and the Greeks start to make less. As far duty is concerned I agree that people then to say what the government will take care or should take care forgets that they are the government.At least in the democratic sense of the world .And then the politicians forget That they are the people. and work more for their parties good......good question peace

My first thought was that this was also in part how the empire of Rome fell. But secondly, I found many of the statements to be so true! Duty and virtue are indeed antiquated terms in modern society, and worse yet, old ideas. We have no more civic duties anymore, instead we look to the government to solve every problem for us, removing some of the struggles that made us band together, made us develop character and strength. We have indeed rendered ourselves irrelevant. Instead we think constant ease serves us, when it truthfully doesn't. There are few enemies at the gate today; mostly the enemy is us. This was really something to think about! Honesty these days is also irrelevant. Even the most popular politicians have been caught lying and cheating, and in many cases, this didn't hurt their careers in the least. A recent President comes to mind. It doesn't bother people anymore!