but the idea that an economy can grow without them is wrong.
No, I get this and should have clarified. The corporations don't care about the long term, they are in to maximize now. They aren't in it for a balanced economy, they are in it for quarterly and annual shareholder wealth.
Its a vicious and extremely destructive cycle of civilisational suicide that has happened to successful civilisations many times before in history and is playing out very rapidly on a global scale right now.
And with all we know, all the knowledge and history at our fingertips - here we are again.