[null and void]

I'm also in the camp that humans have been capable of high culture and civilization building, and have been knocked back into a primitive state multiple times by natural disaster.

I think it was gibsmedat cultures.

Once enough wealth is created by dint of applied intelligence and hard work, it becomes easier to take from the producers and give to the slackers.

'Tax the rich/feed the poor/until there are no rich no more'...

[SunkenCiv]

You may be onto something.