People are encouraged to identify with exploits on the world stage, and believe they are helping to fight evil. When you stop believing in Santa Clause, the whole mythology ceases to amuse. Keep in mind that the U.S. increasingly runs the world. It's not like in Germany in the 30's when you could flee to an autonomous realm. There's a case to be made that no effective changes can be made without a strong U.S. domestic progressive movement.
Someone needs to organize in the belly of the beast.
But for those who choose to become expatriates, it would help if we could have correspondents in the different countries. You'd think Internet would make that feasible.