Or so it self-advetises.
"Advancing democracy" originated as an anti-communist theme, in the Cold war era fight for global influence, and after 1991 it turned into a hammer to yield against mostly Arab countries and others with resources and/or independent foreign policy.
This democracy advancing didn't have issues sponsoring and supporting dictatorships (say, Pinochet in the 70s and Saddam in the 80s to name but a few), or being best buddies with a family that owns a whole country non-democratically and are known for huge human rights abuses (buddies until recently at least).
In the last 20 years alone, it has turned 4 countries into much worse than they were.
But people can be blinded by better initial conditions even if long term it is worse.
Gyude Moore: “China in Africa: An African Perspective” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5uzxV8ub9k (Author has BS in Political Science from Berea College and an MS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.)
By the time the bill comes due, you've got enough money to catch a private jet off into the sunset.
It's elite capture 101.