Individuals are capable of altering their behavior. Groups behave in accordance with incentive structures.
Hoping for and/or expecting societal change through mass application of willpower is wishful thinking.
Hoping for and/or expecting societal change through mass application of willpower is wishful thinking.
This sounds like the same mechanism for democracy, educating a broad populace and hoping they make the right (best?) choices.
The average American is overweight and doesn’t exercise. They are almost certainly aware they need to reduce their calorie intake and spend at least a couple of hours a week engaging in physical activity. Knowing you ought to change you behavior and actually doing it are completely different issues.
I actually happen to think that both are basically losing battles these days, but the underlying reasons aren’t the same.