Hmm, well said. The fact that system of Government isn't working well is the fact that we as people have not really looked into ourselves.
Self realization I would say is the key to a sustainable development world system devoid of all this social vices that tend to set back the developmental growth rate in our society.

ways of improving one's self

Education
This is the problem with most 3rd world countries like Nigeria where am from. The poor government structure has not taken education of the younger generation as a paramount needs, there are just after their selfish interest and live the citizens to suffer. These in turns leads to crime, because as they grow with knowledge of the basics the are not useful to the society and this is a problem.

Reading
This still balls down to education, when the children are properly educated they will be able to read. Even though the educated ones have not been reading enough to develop their minds and spend much time surfing the web for nothing that really profits them. Examples Facebook, twitter etc. So when we read the right things we improve our minds.
These are few of the ways, we could still do research for the rest of them which I won't be able to list now. When this the Government see to improving this standards and we as people work on ourselves, we will all be happier people. The advent of steemit has brought about people saying their ideas and there are lot of things to read. People can now share their thoughts and ideas that others can relates and learn from. I would say steemit is a plus. It is where I go back and see why words that makes me proud. It is our legacy because steemit has come to stay. Thank you @teamsteem.