yes, it's the constant background stress, unless you kinda self-lobotomise by buying in, which is a pretty understandable survival trait if you're that good at convincing yourself of stuff to feel better.
And obviously, certain classes of people will be doing great out of whatever brand of authoritarianism has turned up. So it's just a matter of the size of the leftover group you're suppressing.
thinking about the old italian guy who hung out with the prostitutes in Catch 22. can't find exact quote, but this was his mentality and his explanation for being so old.