@breadandcircuses well, the people in charge are incapable of seeing other people as anything other than objects to be manipulated for the purpose of achieving their own goals.

So, on the one hand, they could take care of the poor, who might one day take away their power; and, on the other hand, they can make a ton of money, and live comfortably, by sending people to their deaths.

For someone who is incapable of experiencing empathy, or remorse - the choice is an easy one