I think (as many said) we are in a power shift from a single centralized force running the world to multiple  centralized forces running it. 
And this translates into a fight over hegemony where previously there was no question about who is the hegemony and hence less need to fight. 
The new fight percolates through our world.
Perhaps if somehow the power shift was from centralized power ruling into decentralized power world control structure, things could truly be different. 
My hope and deep reason for bitcoin is that it can bring such a change in the world control structure. A distributed control structure that naturally gravitates toward benefitting all the "simple" people without the need to rely on centralized powers to protect us by fighting a never ending zero some game that brings waves of cruelty and misery.
I truly whish, hope and pray we can get there. The alternative is unbearable.