Power, Democracy, and the Illusion of Mandate

Being Elected to Government Is No Mandate for Doing Whatever You Want: A Global Perspective

Elections are often presented as the pinnacle of democratic legitimacy. A political leader wins, takes office, and is assumed to have a “mandate” to govern. But in practice, electoral victory does not grant unlimited authority, nor does it mean that every action taken by an elected government is justified, ethical, or beneficial. This is true on a national scale, and it is just as true when considering the global order. The world’s major powers—Russia, Ukraine, the US, Europe, China, and the BRICS nations—are engaged in an ideological, economic, and military struggle that threatens to shape the future development of Earth.

If leaders misuse power, if governance is twisted into authoritarianism or reckless decision-making, we risk not just national decline, but the destruction of humanity itself.

The Failure of Electoral Legitimacy

An election is not a coronation. It is an agreement—often fragile—between the people and those who seek to govern. Yet, history is full of cases where elected officials have used their victories to justify war, economic plundering, oppression, and manipulation of democratic institutions.

Look at the world today. Russia argues that its actions in Ukraine stem from security concerns and historical grievances, while the US and its allies frame the conflict as an attack on sovereignty and democracy. Meanwhile, Europe faces internal divisions as it navigates economic pressures, and BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) seek to challenge Western hegemony by offering alternative global leadership.

Every major player justifies its actions through politics, strategy, and national interest. But who really benefits? The ordinary people of these nations? Or the political and corporate elite who steer world events?

The War in Ukraine: Context Over Blame

The conflict in Ukraine is complex, shaped by decades of geopolitical tensions. While Russia’s invasion is widely condemned, it is also important to consider the broader historical context. The expansion of NATO, despite discussions following German reunification that suggested otherwise, has been cited by Russia as a provocation. Meanwhile, Ukraine, as a sovereign nation, has pursued alliances that align with its aspirations for security and economic development.

This is not simply a war of territorial conquest; it is also a reflection of competing worldviews on security, influence, and sovereignty. The US and its allies justify their support for Ukraine in the name of defending democracy, but it is also an effort to maintain strategic dominance. Likewise, Russia’s actions, whether justified or not, stem from deep-rooted concerns about Western encroachment.

The reality is that the people—Ukrainians, Russians, and others affected by the conflict—are the ones who suffer while governments maneuver for geopolitical advantage.

The United States: Champion of Democracy or Master of Realpolitik?

The US, despite its democratic institutions, has engaged in war, economic coercion, and regime change across the globe. Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya—justified through the rhetoric of democracy, but ultimately driven by economic and strategic interests.

Domestically, American democracy is in crisis. Elections are no longer about representation but about which corporate-backed candidate can outspend the other. The Republican-Democrat divide has turned into tribal warfare, with little room for nuance or genuine policy debate. And while the US calls out Russia for its authoritarianism, its own government routinely undermines political opponents, suppresses certain protests, and manipulates narratives to suit the interests of the ruling class.

If the leader of the so-called free world is riddled with hypocrisy, corruption, and corporate influence, how can it claim to be the moral authority on democracy?

Europe’s Identity Crisis: Unity or Collapse?

The European Union was built on the promise of cooperation, economic strength, and collective security. But cracks are showing. The war in Ukraine has pushed Europe into an economic crisis, with inflation and energy shortages hitting ordinary citizens the hardest. Meanwhile, political extremism is rising—both far-right nationalism and radical leftist movements threaten the stability of the continent.

The EU claims to champion democratic values, yet its unelected bureaucrats in Brussels wield enormous power. Immigration, economic policies, and military strategies are dictated not by the people, but by elite decision-makers who often act in direct contradiction to public opinion. Is this democracy, or is it rule by an aristocracy of technocrats?

National Identity: The Right to Preserve Heritage and Values

As globalism expands, many nations feel their cultural, historical, and social identities are under threat. People want to take pride in their national heritage, customs, and values without being forced into a universal world order dictated by distant elites.

While international cooperation is necessary, it should not come at the expense of sovereignty or cultural identity. Each nation has the right to govern itself according to the will of its people, free from coercion or enforced ideological conformity. Democracy should reflect the values of its citizens, not be reshaped to fit an overarching global standard imposed by multinational organizations or economic interests.

This tension is visible across the world:

• In Europe, nationalist movements gain traction as citizens push back against policies they feel erode their traditions.

• In the US, ideological battles over national identity dominate political discourse.

• In BRICS nations, there is a growing emphasis on self-determined governance, rejecting Western influence while shaping policies aligned with their unique cultural and economic goals.

A universal, homogenized world where all nations conform to a single ideological model is neither desirable nor practical. True democracy means allowing nations to live according to their own traditions and values, provided they respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Global Debt, Monetary Control, and Economic Restrictions

One of the most overlooked tools of control in modern governance is money. Economic policies, monetary systems, and global debt structures are increasingly used not to provide opportunity and stability, but to limit, control, and manipulate nations and individuals.

• The IMF and World Bank create financial dependency through debt, tying developing nations to policies that often favor multinational corporations over local growth.

• Central banks and international financial institutions wield disproportionate power, deciding economic policies that influence interest rates, inflation, and employment without democratic accountability.

• Sanctions and financial restrictions are frequently used as political weapons, affecting ordinary citizens rather than government elites.

• Digital currencies and centralized banking policies could lead to a future where economic freedom is entirely dictated by a handful of global financial elites.

Rather than being a means of growth and prosperity, modern monetary systems increasingly serve as instruments of control. If economic policies are dictated by unelected financial institutions and elites, democracy itself is weakened, and national sovereignty becomes an illusion.

The Future of Earth: Progress or Self-Destruction?

If governments continue on their current trajectories, the future looks bleak. Climate change, economic inequality, military conflict, and rising authoritarianism threaten not just political stability, but the survival of humanity itself.

Where do we go from here?

1. Reject blind allegiance to governments. Just because a leader is elected does not mean their actions are right, moral, or justified.

2. Hold all powers accountable. Whether it is the US, Russia, China, or BRICS, every government must be challenged when it acts in the interest of elites rather than the people.

3. Emphasize cooperation over competition. Nationalism and ideological battles have only brought war, economic suffering, and division. Humanity must shift towards a model of shared progress.

4. End passive citizenship. People must take an active role in governance, not just voting every few years, but demanding continuous transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.

5. Restructure economic power. Money should be used to foster opportunity and access to resources, not to limit, control, or subjugate nations and people.

Conclusion: The World at a Crossroads

The global order is unstable, and the future is uncertain. The people of the world must challenge power, demand accountability, and refuse to be passive players in their own destinies. The choice is ours.