"the welfare state is just one prong at removing man's self-esteem/certainty/etc - just as education based on not teaching thinking but rather obedience does. All leads to dependence on handouts etc."

YES!

There is an entire generation that has had their critical thinking skills and individual drive beaten out of them. The result, a dependent, social rule following generation, effectively disabled. They are suffering a need for purpose. I believe this is why so many of them jump on the social justice bandwagon - from just a need to attach to something for purpose. No drive to work, create, build. To me, it is heartbreaking.