“One would hope this condition provides a model that was examined and resolved by one or more of the ancient philosophers.”
I suggest Plato’s Republic. Our collapse from decadence into tyranny is well under way.
Of course, I was hoping to learn of a view that provides a happy ending.
Unfortunately, when exposed to Plato many years ago I was generally involved with quite a few all-nighters and missed much of the detail of his writings.
But, being an optimist and professional turnaround practitioner it may be worthwhile for me to revisit Republic in order to discover whether it suggests a means of avoiding a negative result - at least for my satisfaction.
Hope you are living comfortably in my native state.