Humanity has become increasingly self centered and focused on materialism at the expense of humanitarianism. The increase in the wealth of a very small minority of people at the expense of the middle-class and the increased suffering of the poor has exacerbated the feeling that we are becoming more regressive.
It is not surprising that a conservative political perspective is increasing, given the natural tendency for people finding it more difficult to maintain their lifestyle, if not simply to survive, and to wish that they could return to the life they imagine existed when they were children. This tendency is played upon by those seeking greater political and economic power.
However, my observations of children and young adults has dispelled some of my fear for the future of mankind. Unless their budding altruism is repressed, they will find ways to reverse the current philosophy that greed is good and will mitigate suffering.