We have at least three generations of civil servants and politicians who grew up under neoliberalism, and the idea of regulation and government intervention isn't just distasteful, or even heretical, it's actually inconceivable.

If you try to float the idea of direct government intervention in the modern era, people look at you like you've grown a second head. They can't even imagine the idea of government directly employing people or owning buildings and equipment to provide a service.