Politics is about influence. It's a different kind of domination. Pillage 2.0

Some very smart thugs figured out that you don't have to expend so much physical energy conquering your neighbors and taking their stuff if you can conquer them intellectually instead.

Edit: That went of topic so let me bring it back around. Saying that I own that idea even though I sold it to you is sort of like how the government can say that they own my land even though I bought it. They even charge me rent for it. They call it taxes.