"An example is the United States, which has been in a cycle of institutional decay for the better part of a half-century, and unable to escape its rut."

During that half century the USA defeated the Soviet Union and its colonies in the Cold War, invented the digital technology that presently directs most human activity, was the most culturally dominant force over the last 50 years, and is still the richest and most militarily powerful country on Earth. The USA also won the most Nobel Prizes and Olympic medals.

Anywhere you go in the continent sized country, there will be working plumbing, the lights will be on, there will be food in the refrigerator, schools and hospitals will be open, and the roads will be open. If you call 911 the government will show up. The federal government does less to actually run the country than the states and local government. There are over 13,800 independent school systems and 18,000 police departments. That this plan doesn't mention freedom or money means it could never work here.

"So, needless to say, the “protopian” form of governance is not to be “implemented” in Afghanistan on Tuesday."

The idea that anyone could implement a different form of government in Afghanistan than the pre-literate ancient tribal patriarchal form they have now made me laugh, since it has has been tried multiple times.