Think OP is confused as to what a monopoly and a benevolent dictatorship is.

I get where you are coming from, I assume most of the "code" in the linux kernel is driver code?

That being the case my understanding is splitting this project up is not only a technical challenge but a legal one.

You could make a common API for driver code, this would make the main driving force of linux much weaker.

Nvidia tried to stay out of tree for years and was dragged kicking and screaming upstream because they needed the reliability.

I'm saying the very thing you are calling out as a problem is currently what is forcing everyone contribute to the mainline kernel.

Without centralized leader ship the facturing of the linux kernel would be a disaster.

There are other alternatives like the bsds and if things become intolerable a switch is viable. It just takes work.

The Linux kernel isn't even a monopoly though.... FreeBSD, OpenBSD, heck even ReactOS are all things you can use and make better instead.

No one is forcing you to use Linux any more than anyone is forcing you to use Windows or macOS.