I think like other commenters have said, there is not much incentive to perform more than what is needed to get your salary at most places. I think this is due to the effects of government/fiat money. When you pay 50% in taxes or deductions, each incremental earning is heavily taxed to not be worth the effort, be it time or just performance.
Alternatively, it could just be sign of decadence in that people have just become lazy and expect something for nothing. Look at the rise of social security, it was shameful to be on welfare when i was growing up, now it seems the "in" thing.