A major difference is that our technology is so far advanced now that we have far more resources than they did at that time.
Well, even with those resources, we still have food security issues without a major economic dislocation, so I don't see as we can just say, "resources!" and expect the problem can't exist.
People are worried, for example, about how they're going to be able to afford their homes. Well, the homes are there.
Yes, folks are worried about being able to pay their rents and mortgages. In a recession or depression, that's an issue. What gets done about it is a political question, and beyond the scope of these boards.