The world seems to be in turmoil. From Ukraine and Sudan to Gaza and Syria, conflicts are raging — often with external powers interfering to shape outcomes favorable to Western interests. The West claims to uphold democracy and promotes it globally, yet in practice, it neither fully embodies true democracy at home nor genuinely fosters it abroad. Rather, its involvement in other nations often appears aimed at gaining political control to extract resources at below-market prices.
The root of the problem begins at home. Western democracy is often defined by the famous slogan: a government “of the people, by the people, for the people.” But let’s examine the very first part — “of the people.” This implies that the government is formed from within the community — elected representatives who serve the common good. However, history tells a different story. First, power was concentrated in the hands of aristocrats. Then came the ruling families. Today, it’s the elite business class and mega-donors who fund political campaigns and control narratives. Democracy has evolved — or devolved — from “of the aristocrats” to “of the ruling families” and now “of the campaign financiers.”
In the West, elected leaders primarily work to serve businesses. Domestic and foreign policies are crafted not with the average citizen in mind but with the interests of corporations at the forefront. This isn’t to say ordinary people don’t benefit at all — they do, but only in the form of crumbs falling from a table stacked with profits.
Take America, often touted as the richest country in the world. Despite its wealth, it is not the happiest nation. It doesn’t have universal healthcare, clean and equitable water systems, or an education system that truly works for all. While food is abundant, healthy and affordable food is not always accessible to everyone. Why is that? Because policymaking often centers on maximizing returns for businesses — not on public well-being.
Domestically, laws and civic institutions still place some limits on unchecked exploitation. But on the international front, such constraints don’t always apply. Western powers have frequently devised policies to serve corporate interests abroad — often at the cost of local populations. Wars are ignited, coups are supported, and democratically elected governments are toppled so that favorable leaders can be installed. In some cases, Western powers unite and divide the spoils; in others, they back rival factions, exacerbating civil strife and collapsing entire economies. International law has limited reach, and when businesses wield influence over global institutions like the United Nations, accountability becomes even harder to achieve.
Consider Sudan, where war has raged for years. Or Ukraine, locked in conflict since 2022. Who supports the warring sides? A deeper look reveals a familiar pattern: access to resources, cheap labor, and new markets for corporate products. At the heart of it all is economic gain — not peace or democracy.
After reading all this, one might conclude that democracy itself is the problem. But hold on — what are the alternatives? Communism often leads to autocracy, where central planning stifles freedom. Socialism, though rooted in equality, can sometimes discourage innovation and productivity. Both systems have significant flaws and are not universally viable.
So what can we do? Can democracy be fixed?
Yes — but only if we address its most corrosive element: money in politics. To make democracy truly “of the people,” we must remove the need for vast sums of money in the political process. Campaign finance reform is essential. Elections should have spending limits so civic-minded individuals can participate without needing the backing of billionaires. When the system is open to more voices, leaders will emerge who focus on clean water, public parks, equitable food access, and policies that genuinely serve the people.
Once we fix our house in the West, the international problem will fix itself.
A better democracy is possible — but only if we’re willing to reshape the system to reflect its original promise, “of the people, by the people, for the people.”