No, you are correct, it isn't a zerosum world. But I think it might be a "zerominus" world.
When you buy and sell stocks your broker always makes money. So if you win, you win the amount the other person lost less commission. If you lose you lose the amount plus the commission. Both winners and losers are hit by commission.
Governments work that way too. All these "humanitarian" transfers include the Government rake off. So, if we give anything the receiver gets less than we give by the amount of Governments "overheads".
The best policy isn't to "give" anything at all. The best policy is to BE a shining example of what CAN BE done, and be willing to TEACH otheres how to do it for themselves.
I noted with interest that all these delegates to the South African convention seemed very well fed, indeed. They get the rake off.
Democrats believe in take from Peter and then give to Paul. Republicans believe in the productivity of individuals and protecting them from being ripped off.
This is only one aspect of the stock market and it is properly called speculation- not investment. You don't invest in the Stock Market you invest in a company that you understand and that has sound business practices. Simply calling the broker and saying 'Maria Bartiromo says Dell is going up today is like shooting craps'- this isn't investing.
At any rate, the broker isn't just confiscating your money when he charges a fee- you are receiving something for it- just like handing over 50 cents for a candy bar (or whatever they cost).
Governments do not work that way. Governments in their present form are in the wealth confiscation and redistribution business. You usually never see your money again or you see it in a much reduced form- ie shoddy postal service, inefficient public works, transport that you don't use, etc. Taxation is simply extortion below the tolerance threshold. It is still robbery.