Hi punkofnice.
Good OP that contains excellent questions.
My own hunch is that some GB members are in it for power (I believe money is secondary, but all their bills are paid plus green handshakes = no money troubles and a comfy life) and some are completely delusional and believe the crap that they spew forth 100%.
I believe that every governing body is a combination of the two.
The poor bastards of the rank and file ...