I always see people who say the world is run by a shadow government and has been for 100s of years.

I can’t seem to believe that it’s true. So the Chinese, Russians, and Americans are all controlled by the same entity but also competing with each other for world dominance? Historically the Ottomans and the colonial powers were controlled but yet again still in conflict with each other? I can understand how they could be bound by some group and given autonomy to pursue their own imperialist interests. I could picture it like someone playing a board game or something. What do yous think? I don’t think one entity controls the world tbh, I believe it’s just this major free for all. Many entities battling for power.