So you would describe the economic situation over all to be 'Struggling day to day and surviving, but overall the sector is dying a slow death'?
I would qualify and handwave left and right to avoid giving a canonical answer because I think the answer most truly lies in the game that the player experiences. (Man, I must be in an artistic mood or something to give a horrible vague reply like this. If you like, "sure" also serves as an answer.)
How does the Hegemony view free enterprise? Is the economy completely nationalized? Do they permit or even encourage local businesses, but restrict or ban outside firms? Or are the megacorps (the ones that aren't Tri-Tachyon, at any rate) allowed to operate freely in Hegemony space?
More details about this will appear in the next update! It's going to be fun!
Short answer: No, the economy is not nationalized. Domestic affairs may vary quite a bit between different worlds ruled by the Hegemony, though certain standards apply. The needs of the military do come first, and interstellar/interplanetary commerce and industrial policy is regulated, sometimes heavily depending on circumstances, to meet military goals. Interstellar megacorps are allowed to operate within Hegemony space provided they pay their duties and follow the rules.
Shorter answer: The Hegemony is a
hegemony.