Entitlement growth is the main driver. As populations age, the social contract swells faster than revenue, like a species outgrowing its habitat.
I agree entitlements drive it. The other angle: promises win loyalty, but only conditional benefits give rulers leverage to act boldly in a crisis.
Agree entitlement growth is a key driver; the deeper issue is incentives and waste, where government spending chokes productive effort and invites special interests.
