WOW, your post reflects (to me) one of the main issues we are facing, and need to find solutions to.
From capitalism, we went to individualisme into egoism. The later causes us to look for self interests mainly or even only. And yes, there are people who try (sometimes) to think of the best interest for the society, but many do not think things through, listens to others who do (or pretend they do) and just agree with the next measure implemented, and mostly indeed short term focussed.
We practise fire fighting, instead of defining a vision, create solid proposals and discuss them to execute to bring us closer to the vision, take the appropriate steps to actually implement the whole thing and while doing so, always be critical if whatever we dreamed up, defined and executed are still in line with the original thoughts and vision.
I even believe that the majority in a society can already be ok with whatever is done to create a 'better' world is by informing them, be transparent. But it needs to start with a vision the large majority, not 51% but lets say 90% can agree to, then be very transparent on what needs to be done to reach that goal. This will give many people enough, to leave whatever needs to be done, to others. Trust is the name of the game! And trust is build by transparency and good decisions.
RE: The False Appearance of 'Good' Prevents Action to Change for the Better