While it is popular and accurate to blame our societal elites for being inept, the truth is that these leaders, both political and cultural, are reflections of us.
Government policy now ensures that the benefits of children are socialized, while the cost of raising children remains private. If you wanted to reduce families, you couldn't think of anything better.
With his Principles of Economics Carl Menger not only laid the foundation for the Austrian school itself but for its continuing development to this day.