[AlecSchueler]

That the state which grants you your right can take them away doesn't make them flimsy.

And it's certainly more than "hardly" a monopoly. If the government gives a certain company right to operate on train track infrastructure but denies the same to every other company, then does that first company hardly have a monopoly?

[ekianjo]

Large companies that have money lobby governments to ensure they do not threaten their monopolies. Individuals can't do that.