If only. Lining their pockets and the pockets of their kingmakers is the only objective, the rest is theater.
Economic improvement for the masses is merely a byproduct.
If by "our" you mean Western governments, Western countries are all democracies. If Western governments have switched to economy over everything mode, that's because that's what the electorate wants.
Best read in a smug Bavarian accent.
My family is pretty politically diverse and I would say none of them are ever happy with that is going on over the last 10+ years outside of a few things. Its just people making a choice about what they hate less.