As democracy indexes improve across the world in 2019, it seems political freedom is finally within reach. But freedom of choice in electing government does not equate to national political independence. Through economic and political pressure, powerful states can effectively exercise their will on the world stage—to the detriment of other nations.

Start with economics. A major tool used by countries to coerce each other is trade. Since capitalism is the most recurrent economic system today, trade naturally occupies an important seat in international relations. Though a great boon to all when done freely and fairly, it can be manipulated to serve a country’s own interests. Take Saudi Arabia, for example. Following their assassination of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and regime critic, they denied all accusations of wrongdoing—despite overwhelming evidence of the contrary. Yet European powers and the USA did not put substantial political pressure on Saudi Arabia. Such an act would potentially end billion-dollar weapon sales from the West to Saudi Arabia, terminate Saudi Arabian shipments of oil to the West, and force the relinquishment of rights to a large percentage of the world’s oil to a now non-Western ally. Europe and America lost considerable political independence: their democratic ideals were cast aside in exchange for business and financial interests.

Currencies and economic institutions promote the interests of nations that supply or fund them. Thanks to the all-powerful dollar, the United States controls access to all world markets and operates as the world’s most important reserve currency; in order to trade, one must use the dollar. Thanks to this power, the USA can alienate foreign nations it deems dangerous to its interests by simply removing them from global markets. It’s the case with nations like Iran: the country is effectively banned from international commerce since the USA restricts trade in greenbacks with it. And there is no hope in complaining to organizations such as the WTO: the USA controls all access to them. Iran has repeatedly attempted to enter the WTO, but the USA constantly vetoes against its membership. Iran loses considerable political independence: if it does not abide by American demands, then it will remain ostracized from world markets.

Then there’s the politics. Military involvement is frequently used between states to apply political pressure—the USA holds military personnel in almost 150 countries across the globe. With around 54,000 American troops within its borders, Germany cannot radically dissent with American policies out of fear of military repercussions. China, another global superpower, is ramping up its presence in Africa in order to strengthen economic and commercial ties; with Chinese armed forces breathing down their necks, African governments are reluctant to decline Chinese commercial partnerships and interests. National and political independence is jeopardized because of risks of direct foreign military interference.

Soft power is equally key when influencing politics. After decades of British rule, many countries around the world preserve strong ties with their former rulers: witness India, Canada, and South Africa’s membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. Even Americans, who constantly boast of driving out British monarchy in favor of republicanism, always count the British among essential allies. (After all, they were the only ones to follow America into its second war with Iraq.) America’s role in Europe’s reconstruction after World War II—the funds it provided and its promotion of a military alliance, NATO—cemented its reputation as a champion of freedom and democracy (though that position is challenged today). Rising world powers, such as China, have also embraced the use of soft power. Witness the growing number of Confucius institutes around the world, and that the Chinese economic model—otherwise known as the “Beijing Consensus”—is the economic standard for more and more Africans.

The strengthening of democracy is great news and worth a celebration. But there is more to political freedom than casting a vote: forces beyond our control play a pivotal role in politics as well. Be aware of that.