why on earth

Maybe because the people at the top don't care about these problems?

As I watch the continued development of industries that are environment-destroying, the military buildups, the deployment of surveillance and developing potential worker-replacement tools, the destruction of social safety nets, etc. I have to wonder, why? In the past it felt like people had ideological or profit motives driving this behaviour at the top, and you'd get a little of this, a little of that, get away with what they could. This seems so coordinated and blatant in the face of environmental breakdown, societal distinction, the the kind of poly crisis that in the past would have spurred more regulations, more caution, more contrition.

Rightly or wrongly it feels like the behaviour we see is from people who believe they can do these things because the problems don't matter. Society will break down into feudal fascist states, the environment will crumble, and population will need to be controlled. If you believe this outcome is inevitable or desirable, then putting effort into fixing climate crises, strengthening democracy, or addressing societal inequity is just a waste of time or even counter to your goals.