Depends on the government. Kennedy was able to poach McGeorge Bundy and McNamara (who also recruited Daniel Ellsberg, another member of the Harvard Society of F

Depends on the government. Kennedy was able to poach McGeorge Bundy and McNamara (who also recruited Daniel Ellsberg, another member of the Harvard Society of Fellows) from the private sector, as well as enough scientists and engineers to put people on the moon. McNamara had worked for the government before that during World War 2, as well as the entire team of Manhattan Project scientists. The quality of applicants to government jobs took a tumble after the Vietnam era. Singapore's government pays well enough to compete for top talent against the private sector, and I have no doubt that China is capable of staffing high priority government projects well also.