You're looking at the economy as a zero-sum game. It's incorrect. It's a question of plunder versus productivity. If someone gains $20m/yr in the free market, it is because he is producing at least 20m/yr in value to other people. More, actually, because voluntary exchanges are mutually-beneficial.
Beyond that, "the country" owns nothing. Only individuals reason, choose, act, own, buy, sell, etc. Collectives do not exist as entities that can do any of these things. Governments are groups of people who use the mythology of collectivism to justify their individual plundering schemes, which are zero-sum systems at best, or more often negative-sum systems.
So who supposed to be responsible for building roads, hwys, defense, …. And how to bay for all that without having a regulated entity in charge. Let us call it whatever you like “Govcompany A” for example and “Govcompany B” and C….Right now we have insurance companies , electric companies , ….Some of which have budget bigger than some small governments. Corruptions can be found everywhere . both the government and big business are colluding to control the masses. You prefer private control other might prefer government . Government taxes are the companies ‘s fees. One is voluntary the other is not.
Without some sort of government, companies and free market will not survive . Government survive without companies .
You don't need government for roads or other infrastructure. The first interstate highway network was a private venture funded almost entirely with private capital. Your appeal to status quo does not really support anything. As for defense and security, we already have the example of companies like Detroit Threat Management and private arbitration services. And I would argue that the military is obsolete, and that is why it has been used entirely for belligerence for decades. An armed populace is a far better defense than a standing army.
Monopolies invariably promote waste and abuse because the economic calculation problem is a thing, and competition rewards providing better service at lower cost. Your fear of corrupt corporations can only be realized when choice is restricted by government intervention to prohibit consumer choice. Society and the economy predate the State. The only corporations that need the State are the ones that cannot survive against competition. they need subsidies and protectionist regulations because they would otherwise collapse.
I think you are assuming I am for government and against privatization. I am not. Also I am not with privatization against the government. I am with clear and regulated plain field for all. Neither government nor private companies can guarantee that. Or better said both don’t want that. Monopoly by corporation and oppression by government is what is going on now and it is getting worse by the year. We all remember from ENRON to Wells Fargo scandals and every corporation in between that have screwed up. And the government just passed the tax payer money straight to them in 2008. If smart people like you don’t come up with new system that has a self built in corruption proof mechanism sooner than later, it will be impossible to stop the snow ball few years from now. My prediction is the next election will have some interesting and nasty surprises for all unless very tragic event happens to unite the people on a fear based reality.
The problem is the belief that there needs to be a "system" at all. No one can design and administer an economic system that works any more than people can design and administer language. people can codify norms for reference, like in a dictionary, but creating new norms by any kind of mandate always fails.
The economy is similar. Price and trade are a language. they transmit information. Corporations are part of the government's attempts to impose arbitrary restrictions and prevent innovation. Corporations are a legal fiction crated by government, and government subsequently relies on the support of corporations in a massive codependent parasitic process.
Rules are very necessary as air and water. Any place shelter more than one person requires rules and regulations to maintain the peace. If you live with your own brother in one room or one house some rules have to be in place to make life easier and less confrontational. When you get out of the house more and more rules you have to know and watch out for. Some rules are simple. If you break it, an apology will avoid you a confrontation with somebody. Some might cost lives like crossing a red light. The larger the crowed the more complicated the rules get. We reached appoint where we invented governing systems in different sizes and forms. Nowadays we are closing the circle. Meaning the governments now is a source of conflicts and threats to individuals.
Technology and communication have become so advanced and quick globally where humanity can experience new themes of rules and systems. We invented smart technology in every field and it is not stopping any time soon. It is time to invent smart rules and regulations. What I mean by that is self aware regulations or I like to call it, living regulations that has its own conscious. I will give an example. Tens of years ago some organizations, companies and political parties had been established. Some lasted for few years some for few decades and some still exist today. The survivals have one thing in common; the ability to adapt and change to a degree was not imaginable by the founding peoples of that organization or company who have died long time ago. Survival entities have some intelligent and flexible rules that allowed for gradual change for the benefit of itself.
We can invent new systems with new regulations benefitting from last century successful experiences and at the same time close all the holes that will bring some bogs and thugs to the system.
I am not arguing against rules. I am arguing against rulers. Monopolistic and arbitrary legislation, enforcement, and adjudication is not a way to make good rules. Good rules are discovered through reason, and allowing choice is the only mechanism that can promote the best ideas. Technology is the best example of how completely incompetent governments are, because bureaucracy cannot keep up with change, resulting in asinine decisions by ignorant bureaucrats that are enforced at gunpoint.