They succeeded in time, despite the assassination of the president and the change of two other presidents. All centers of power in America felt challenged, but determined to achieve what President Kennedy had so defiantly and sovereignly announced. There was a moment of euphoria to give a scientific-technological response to Soviet power. It was the economic and military complex that responded to the Soviet challenge. The Moonshot was made possible, among others, by the cold war. The Moonshot experience is undoubtedly a great lesson for all those who want to cooperate, coordinate and combine experiences, skills, know-how and many more contributions. The question is, if the conditions exist to implement that experience. 'Best practices' are a good guide to aiming for the best. But as we should have learned during the post-2008 Great Recession, it costs far more to bail out national economies during a crisis than it does to maintain a proactive approach to public investment. Instead of acting as investors of first resort, far too many governments have become passive lenders of last resort, addressing problems only after they arise.

This has been most striking in the developing world, where Vietnam and the Indian state of Kerala stand out.

Mass testing and tracking, production of medical equipment, and education during lockdowns have all suffered as a result.īy contrast, countries and states that have invested in their public-sector capabilities have performed much better overall. And in many countries, past cuts to social services and public health have amplified the damage wrought by the pandemic, while other self-inflicted wounds to the state have led to inadequate policy coordination and implementation. LONDON – COVID-19 has exposed the myriad weaknesses of modern capitalism.

Moonshot mazzucato