Since I always write about how it is impossible to achieve something in politics due to the complicated patron-client relationships that are so own to the human species, I would like to explain why politicians want to be in office as much as they can.
Even if we take it from the common morality standpoint (unlike some philosophical ways such as utilitarianism), we have issues like criminal justice reform, inequality, gun control, affordable housing or education reform (if we speak of the United States).
Zero achievements in the political field. The power structures are so blocked (intertwined) that is very hard to push some issues forward. We have the lobbyists, crooks, movers-and-shakers, lodges, the super-rich, secret services and so down there.
The president of the US has a lot of power unlike a German chancellor (and yes, it is intentional). But he still cannot push the basic agenda (as we speak of 2024).
The POTUS, from a different standpoint, has a lot of power. We all know that capitalism is the rule of the super-rich, and even though American politicians are millionaires, they don’t have as much money as the super-rich families.
Now he is not only the sitting president but has the power (this is just an example) as 2 interest groups have. Suddenly, out of nowhere!
And he has political enemies, both politicians and those aforementioned. Now he can deal with them!
A lot of politicians in Central Europe have Western or Eastern affiliations which is a mere consequence of being a politician, some of them take it personally when their patron loses or wins.
Politics not only changes people but can be very addictive. There are many examples in history when politicians wanted a comeback just to take revenge on their enemies.
So politicians can do little (when they are not Cardinal Richelieu; and actually in these times, the politicians are dumb as those up in the ladder are smart which is intentional), but they have a lot of power in the clientelistic system.
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