PG claims that if all other avenues to wealth are shut off, then the driven and determined will "do well" at starting startups. That is not at all the same as saying that all successful startup founders are driven.

If the game is more equitable the tall centers or the driven founders will do better. If bribing the ref/lawmakers is an option then this is less true.

I didn't get that from the essay. PG writes, "Some people still get rich by buying politicians. My point is that it's no longer a precondition."