Apathy And Envy For All Share Share Trending Under a collective system, everyone degrades to a lower level whether they want to or not. Apathy, laziness, fear, and dependence become the norm, making central planning and totalitarian measures even more successful; thus the end of poverty, but the state of destitution also becomes the end – the lowest common denominator is achieved (See How Collectivism Destroys Everyone). This highlights Reverend William J. H. Boetcker’s wisdom that: You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.