The key issue at hand is the culture. A cultural change must be effected such that everyone understands that the 'government cheese' (bread, circuses) brings the system down. Individual effort must be rewarded, and lack of effort must not be upheld. History records this over and over, providing a clear description of the effects of government cheese. Britain lost their dominance in part due to it.

It was not until the communism of China was mitigated that their economy began to take off.

I understand that the same thing happened with India and their socialist policies, but I am not as versed in India's history.

There are heavy negative effects that come into play when large-scale growth happens. The Industrial Revolution is the history of the West's large-scale growth. It's taking place in China now too.

Let us not delude ourselves that sunshine, rainbows, unicorns and world peace will suddenly come about. Futurama provides a humorous glimpse into that sort of future.

People are always self-interested and selfish, in the governmental scale. While we might not like that... we always prefer better things to happen to us and our little domains.