what we really need to go into space

Paul,
I think you are mixing two different things here, on one side there is an
ideal world, which you describe, I want, as I'm sure many others, and I'm
convinced is the shape of things to come and we eventually will get there
one day; on the other side there is the here and now, and that's a much
harsher reality.
As for today we do live in a profit-driven economy, which suck, I'm the
first one to agree, but nevertheless is the way it is.
If you want to change the world before you colonize space I think you'll be
delaying the process, my guess is that the more evolved society you talk
about will follow in time after colonisation of space. Judging by today's
newspapers probably a considerable number of centuries after... ;)