I think it was allowed to be achieved long enough to create a generation that could not conceive of life any other way in the most mainstream of societies, the American, This society had a limited population but much greater wealth and power than any other at the time. The population was kept limited to provide greater disparity between it and other societies. As well to make for a more efficient collapse of the society. The wealth and power of the American society is at the point that its collapse can only affect all other societies kind of like a star collapsing under its own weight and pulling in the surrounding planets.
I think it was allowed to be achieved long enough to create a generation that could not conceive of life any other way in the most mainstream of societies, the American, This society had a limited population but much greater wealth and power than any other at the time. The population was kept limited to provide greater disparity between it and other societies. As well to make for a more efficient collapse of the society. The wealth and power of the American society is at the point that its collapse can only affect all other societies kind of like a star collapsing under its own weight and pulling in the surrounding planets.
I will even go so far to say, TPTB always intended for it to be that way too.