Apathetic behavior is most common in civic or public related matters. Most people do not take the time to involve themselves in politics or civics, because it doesn't interest them, believing others will instead commit the time and energy, resulting in apathy. "Can't fight City Hall!" is a common refrain, leading people to believe they are powerless to mount challenges to the powers that be.
Read more.... Apathy is very dangerous to the public at large, but a virtual panacea for government representatives as they implement their policies, pet projects, laws and regulations, at will, all the while spending public tax dollars like "druken sailors". http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/symptoms/apathy/causes.htm offers a list of the clinical or medical causes of apathy.