Nah, not nostalgia.  No the forces active include the outsourcing of manufacturing which leads Americans to believe that the supply of goods is delivered via magic and that the free lunch is totally possible.  Also active is the extremely comfortable life style that Americans have achieved.  Those who remember the middle of the last century recall that life was not so comfortable.  Air conditioning at home or work and in cars which we find nearly universal was largely absent.  Food was more limited in scope with availability limited to natural seasons.  People looked to themselves, family, and friends to survive hardship.  

Spoiled children have trouble getting along because they are used to getting what they want.  To see how a spoiled society gets along, look at us.