Collective actions are not exempt from these double powers; consider this succinct and frightening sentence written by John Berger: 

Everywhere these days more and more people knock their heads against the fact that the future of our planet and what it will offer or deny to its inhabitants, is being decided by boards of men who control more money than all the governments in the world, who never stand for election, and whose sole criterion for every decision they take is whether or not it increases or is prone to increase Profit.

It is a frightening sentence. Is it true?

In my own experience profit is not the sole criterion for most decisions. Though, I am sure examples can be found where it is the sole intention.

In my experience decisions are most often confused, delayed, half-made, not made, and badly executed.

In my experience those who take up decisions begin with a sense-of-self they seek to advance.

What is the source of that sense?  What are its parts?  How does it thrive? Why does the sense-of-self change over time and how?