We got Chernobyl because there wasn't transparency. The flaw that caused the explosion was known to the USSR but it was covered up and a correction to existing reactors in production was not implemented until after it became impossible to ignore. The same would be happening to production reactors here in the US if it weren't for the strict government regulations that ensured that no western reactors could be built the way Chernobyl was (no containment building, graphite moderation etc.). This regulation is forcing transparency in design.
A public service ought to be motivated to deliver a good service. It won't be motivated by taking shortcuts. A private company seeks profit and cannot afford to lose money, contrary to a public service which can be not profitable. Offering a good service it a means to be profitable but that's not the end goal, even if many people actually want to do good work.
Of course there's a big if. IF the government throws enough money at it.
This IF is unfortunately too often "IF only". If not, we are back to shortcuts.
bureaucrats and civil servants get paid regardless of how shit they do their jobs because the government puts a gun to your head to pay their wages and consume whatever service they provide (also applies to some "private" companies)
