It has never worked very well, and luckily times are changing. Spanking is finally waning a bit in popularity as a behavior modification approach. These are useful and effective tools that every parent should be familar with and use from time to time. But they are not enough. Obedience to authority is not enough.
Blind obedience is dangerous.
More is needed. Think of it as an art. It takes involvement, of course. Involvement in what your children are doing, and creative ways you generate to support their interests and activities through skillful application of encouraging remarks and attention. Encouragement teaches children to be self-reliant and responsible.