Wow, I managed to read it all.
Actually I guess the current problems can almost all be explained with a single word: Greed.
Greed is the reason for lobbyism.
Greed is the reason for not reacting (reacting is usually painful both to the citizens as well as to the leaders who want to be re-elected, best example is our new government and their mad idea of lowering taxes while announcing to make 100 billion € new debts next year.
).
Greed is a reason for most wars (I want to rule, I want to own, I want those resources, I must be stronger than the other....etc.)
Now combine greed and convenience and you have the perfect "let's go on as we always did" scenario.
Just my spontaneous 2c.