Where is history going?

At one time the overwelming theme of history seemed to be that science was advancing everywhere and the main dynamic was the competition between two opposing rational economic systems. (Does anyone now remember Marxist-Leninist- Maoist theory?)
Now we seem to have a degeneration of culture across the globe. Fundamentalists are threatening to overturn social order and freedoms to exert religious, (that is, irrational beliefs) as having equal or superior value to science, democracy and freedom.
The recent choice of Sara Palin as a candidate for vice-president in the US, creationists having a say in education, and Sharia Law being accepted as a modern legal system suggests that regressive irrational belief systems are unwinding progress.
The aggressive opposition in the US to steps to establish a health care system which supports everyone is astonishing for people in Canada, the UK and Australia.
In Moslem countries and the USA large numbers of irrational people appear to be to mobilized for campaigns promoting stupid aims or even violent actions.
Where will this all lead?
Or is this a return to normalcy? Is it that most people are more comfortable following an authority figure or dominant regime and do not want to exercise the personal freedom that rational life implies?
If so, pass the Prozac!

-- Post From My iPhone