The use of a federation starship is somewhat ironic here. It’s not inherently bad that politics have control over science or that it hold science back. There are tons of examples where politics impedes science and it is bad sure. Corruption and the like- but the Federation has a rule called the prime directive. The gist is that you aren’t supposed to expose primitive species to advanced technology. The reasoning is sound and reflected in real world history. No matter how helpful a technology may be- the unforeseen consequences, uses, and advances a primitive race makes to advanced technology can be disastrous for them and others- they may destroy their civilization, even themselves.
Human beings and our society and minds do not advance as fast as our technology. People still squabble over wars fought hundreds of years ago by other people they never met. In countries without wide spread firearms people will kill each other with whatever means necessary. People turn cooking pots into anti tank ordinance and fertilizer in to bombs while they go hungry. And what’s more- let off the leash of enforced ethics science for the sake of knowledge above all else or for “the greater good” has been behind some of humanities most sickening atrocities.
So yes- while the manipulation of knowledge to support political power or financial gain are disgusting- it’s also not wise to let science off the leash, allow science or society to “self regulate” technology, or to otherwise allow exponential progress without guidance. Laws as is usually are behind the curve of technology and its most often people who suffer for that as the sorts of people who seek to shed any accountability are often the sorts who are the first to take advantage of a lack of oversight.
Not to mention that like... half of Star Trek is literally discussing politics, just between aliens.
And I guess humans, but humans are aliens to the aliens.
And I guess humans, but humans are aliens to the aliens.