I think in my own head, the thing that makes it work okay in Urban Shadows is being clear, really clear, about the Factions. Politicians and wizards are allies, rather than wizards secretly running the world using their politicians and billionaires as pawns. Shared interests and methods rather than a master/slave relationship.

If it were me — and it will be me at my own table! — I think I’ll back way off the “use the real world” directives, other than where real world = real human issues. Nar not sim etc barf. 

Also entirely possible that I’ve radically misread the text about this! But I don’t think so. Like any game with conflicts of interest, I think the trick is just knowing they’re there.