A key problem with libertarian thought is the notion that it is possible to erect a hard firewall between economic wealth and the power of the state (or any other entity or combination of them) to initiate force.
In practice as long as the state (or any other force wielder) and economic actors exist in the same universe the latter can use money or deception to influence the former. Money can be used to amplify deception through intelligence tradecraft.
This means that large enough concentrations of wealth inevitably tend to mutate into political power a.k.a. the power to initiate force.
Rand is probably the worst offender when it comes to outright denying this and refusing to examine its implications.
In practice as long as the state (or any other force wielder) and economic actors exist in the same universe the latter can use money or deception to influence the former. Money can be used to amplify deception through intelligence tradecraft.
This means that large enough concentrations of wealth inevitably tend to mutate into political power a.k.a. the power to initiate force.
Rand is probably the worst offender when it comes to outright denying this and refusing to examine its implications.