It's probably just a by-product of modern living in a large complex society. Free riders are punished in small communities because individuals know each other a

It's probably just a by-product of modern living in a large complex society. Free riders are punished in small communities because individuals know each other and are aware of each others actions over [x] period of time. In a large society no on knows anyone else and free-riderism is much more difficult to control.