Socialism

It can be, when it isn't hamstrug by stupid regulations.

In the US the government tends toward being ineffective because it typically isn't allowed to do much on its own. For almost everything it hires contractors to execute a function and then serves as oversight for the contractor. The only real exceptions I can think of to this outside of the military are the postal service, the forest service, and the FAA. All of which are pretty notably effective considering the depth and breadth of the service they provide, and provide high quality, long term employment.

Government is always more efficient and effective than private enterprise pertaining to what government does. Private enterprise is most effective and efficient at yielding profit, since that is the only goal of private enterprise. Government is more effective at establishing and executing regulatory frameworks regardless of profit incentive.