The world and its political setting is the thing I enjoyed the most about FF VIII. It's why, despite not being a big fan of the entire game (it's a wonderful game, just personally and subjectively it began to lose me), adore the first 10-20 hours or so.
In contrast, it's also VII's largest flaw for me in otherwise my favorite (or so) FF. Though as you sort of alluded, it's somewhat forgivable for technical reasons, but I felt even FF VI had more believable scope its world and its politics. VI had border stations, ports, numerous towns, camps, different regions, and in general felt fleshed out.
VII felt like it was essentially just Shin-ra Corporation and no other real entity (political, corporate, or otherwise) really existed. Shin-ra was superbly fleshed out with reactors, ports, bases, etc but the game world lacked enough presence of anyone else (or even evidence there previously was before Shin-ra now controlled their territory). I never liked how it essentially just had one city and everything else was just small supportive outskirts. In VI and VIII, you get a much better sense of their being multiple entities with cities, regions, infrastructure, etc.
Combined with the general two main themes of VII's early story -- the nostalgia of being a student in school again and the general theme of learning, getting graded; and the cool military special-ops missions involving infrastructure or logistics -- it's why I adore the first third or so of VIII.
And actually, your main point is sort aligns with why I am interested in FF XV. It's sort of a mix of FF XII and FF VIII. Part of it is just the raw world gameplay and exploration reminds me of XII's, which I love. But you're right about the world and politics. Some of the logistical things like gas stations or having to set up camp, or the infrastructure story elements such as that night infiltration of the army base with the mechs a la Metal Gear.
It reminds me sort of a mix of XII's gameplay but VIII's early world and missions.