To me it sounds like learned helplessness. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learned_helplessness People (and animals) who perceive to be systematically unable to avoid or confront sources of stress eventually accept that they have no control over the situation and stop trying.

Except it happens at a nation's scale.

I do think the resulting apathy keeps the problem going. I wonder if apathy looks like the cause because the process starts in early childhood.