What Do Governments Truly Serve—Democracy or Special Interests?

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Muhammad Ali

Feb 5, 2025

What Do Governments Truly Serve—Democracy or Special Interests?

How Citizens Are Left Behind in the Pursuit of Power and Global Dominance

In a factory, raw materials exist solely to keep operations running. Without them, production stops, workers lose jobs, and the entire system collapses. These materials are processed in any way seems fit to create profitable goods.

If someone were to suggest treating them with care, respecting their value, and prioritizing their well-being, they'd be laughed at. "They’re here to be used—that’s just how it works," would be the response. Is it possible that governments treat their own people the same way? Citizens fuel the system, yet their well-being is rarely a priority—only their utility matters.

In a true democracy, the top priority is the well-being of people. Every policy, alliance, and decision should serve this purpose. When a government consistently prioritize interests other than of their citizens like making and executing policies benefiting only a few—it ceases to be a democracy. At that point, it’s not the government of (by,for) the people, but an oligarchy in disguise.

“The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government.” — Thomas Jefferson

Governments Acting Against the Will & Welfare of Their Citizens

Imagine hiring someone for a job—would you accept them acting on their own, ignoring your instructions, and even harming your well-being? Of course not. You’d expect them to prioritize your needs and act in your best interest. The same applies to governments. People elect leaders to ensure rule of law, equal opportunities, basic necessities, fair wages, quality education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic stability.

They expect tax money to be used for public welfare, not wasted on self-serving agendas. But in reality, governments act as if the people exist to serve them. Heavy taxes burden citizens, yet the money funds foreign conflicts, fuels alliances, and protects elite interests rather than improving lives. Instead of ensuring security and prosperity, they create enemies abroad and violate human rights.

People in the developed world face soaring living costs, stagnant wages, crushing debt, and unaffordable healthcare, leading to financial stress and insecurity. Housing is out of reach, education comes with lifelong debt, and jobs grow more unstable. Despite high taxes, public services decline, forcing reliance on costly private alternatives. Mental health suffers under constant pressure. On top of this, daily struggles like long commutes, bureaucratic inefficiency, digital surveillance, and rising social isolation add to their frustration.

Surveys reveal a clear gap between public opinion and government actions. In the U.S., 60% believe the government spends too much, especially on foreign aid, with 67% wanting increased healthcare funding, 66% prioritizing education, and 66% supporting infrastructure improvements. Meanwhile, 50% favor cutting military aid, and 51% want reductions in economic aid to other countries. In France, 67% oppose tax hikes and budget cuts, while in the UK, polls show stronger public support for EU trade ties over U.S. deals. Despite these preferences, governments continue making decisions that often contradict the welfare of their people.

Governments are losing the trust of their people because of policies and actions like these. A Pew Research Center survey from April 2024 found that only 22% of Americans trust the federal government to do what is right 'just about always' or 'most of the time.'

Millions of people across the U.S., UK, and EU have marched in support of Palestine, yet their governments continued to provide billions in aid and weapons to Israel. In the U.S., protests erupted at major universities like Columbia, University of California-Berkeley, and Harvard, where students organized peaceful demonstrations, sit-ins, and rallies to voice opposition to the government’s role in the conflict. Despite the widespread public support for Palestine, these protests were met with heavy-handed responses from authorities. Law enforcement cracked down with mass arrests, and footage emerged of police brutally beating demonstrators.

On one hand, the governments openly went against the will of their people, even supporting the opposing side in the name of their citizens. On the other hand, they blatantly violated the very values they claim to stand for—human rights, freedom of speech, democracy, free press and more. Is this how a democratic government should act? Is this the government of the people, or the people for the government? Democracy or oligarchy?

“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.” — Albert Camus

Foreign Policy: Serving People or Power?

Foreign funding and aid often raise questions about priorities and the real impact on citizens. In 1953, the U.S. and U.K. orchestrated a coup in Iran, removing the democratically elected Prime Minister, Mohammad Mossadegh, after he nationalized the oil industry to benefit his people. This intervention benefited Western interests in the short term but fostered long-term resentment among Iranians. A similar pattern emerged in 2022, when Pakistan's Prime Minister, Imran Khan, was ousted, allegedly with U.S. involvement, due to his independent foreign policy. Despite U.S. denials, leaked communications hinted at interference.

Since World War II, Western nations have frequently intervened in foreign conflicts, leading to massive costs, loss of life, and prolonged turmoil in affected countries. During the Vietnam War (1955–1975), the U.S. spent about $843 billion and lost over 58,000 soldiers, while millions of Vietnamese suffered casualties and environmental devastation. In the Iraq War (2003–2011), over $1 trillion was spent, with nearly 4,500 U.S. military deaths, leaving Iraq in ruins with widespread civilian casualties and instability.

In Afghanistan (2001–2021), more than $2.3 trillion was invested, with over 2,400 U.S. military deaths, while the country remains politically unstable and economically crippled. Western involvement in Syria (2011–present) has prolonged the conflict, contributing to over 400,000 deaths and a refugee crisis. The Ukraine-Russia conflict (2014–present) has seen significant Western military and financial support for Ukraine, worsening tensions with Russia and causing heavy casualties and displacement. Meanwhile, ongoing Western support for Israel in the Israel-Palestine conflict has fueled violence, resulting in countless deaths and widespread destruction in Palestinian territories.

“The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.” — Thomas Paine

Does this all serve the citizens or their interests? The countries they intervene in are left in ruins, struggling to survive for decades, often under the control of military groups that devastate what remains. These groups are often supported to protect Western interests. What do the people get from this? Countless lives lost, funds that should have been spent on their welfare diverted to foreign agendas, and an unending flow of refugees that worsens problems at home. Governments violate human rights or justify actions on behalf of their citizens, yet only create more enemies. This is not for the people, but rather for the hidden agendas of the powerful elite, aligned with government interests.

Something is Seriously Wrong

The West—led by the U.S., EU, UK, and Australia—holds immense global power, shaping policies and outcomes through exclusive alliances like NATO, the Five Eyes, and the G7. While China and Russia pose a challenge, they are strategically isolated through sanctions and influence. But maintaining this dominance comes at a cost—resources funded by ordinary citizens who work hard, pay taxes, and generate wealth. Yet, despite being the backbone of this power, they are misled into thinking they have a choice. Elections often lead to the same elites, their beliefs shaped by media and misinformation, while the wealthy grow richer and the public struggles. If this is how democracy operates, then something is terribly wrong with it. And if democracy is truly meant to benefit all, then it's not being carried out the way it should.

Looking into the Past to Foresee the Future

The cycle of power is unyielding, with those in charge constantly expanding their control, thinking it will last forever. But history shows us that true stability comes from serving the people, not just maintaining power.

“Empires do not suffer emptiness of purpose at the time of their creation. It is when they have become established that aims are lost, and replaced by vague ritual.” — Frank Herbert

The Roman Empire fell due to military overreach, heavy taxes, and corruption. The British Empire crumbled under unsustainable policies and colonial exploitation. The Ottoman Empire disintegrated from poor governance and economic stagnation. The Soviet Union collapsed because of oppressive policies and economic failure. These empires share a lesson: when governments prioritize power over their people, they seal their fate.

Today’s governments claim to serve the people, but if they continue serving the powerful, they’re leading their nations toward the same collapse. The real question is, will they learn before it’s too late?

Change!

Change in world powers has always come at a heavy cost—countless lives lost, economies shattered, and years of struggle under foreign or fractured rule. But there’s another way: change coming from the inside, driven by the people themselves.

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” — Edmund Burke