Perhaps cynicism is associated with defection, but the various uses depend on the independent questions of whether the cynic defects and whether everyone else defects. Mere association is a sign that a word is bad for communication. (like “normative”)

(perhaps that was unfair to jimrandomh)

An alternative or supplement to a cynic’s library of cynical books is a cynic’s library of conflictingly idealistic books by rival experts or observers.

In terms of a sort of comprehensive cynicism that’s an easy pill to swallow, I think Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker series is hard to beat. For more official stuff that purports to be empirical, history textbooks from rival nations (translated appropriately) and educational and advocacy literature from rival interest groups (pharmaceutical companies, plaintiff’s law firms) could be useful. Selections from all that could make a good reader for younger age groups.