Many say this cannot work.

... checking notes ...

Ah yes. China used to have 100% technocrats in their leadership 30 years ago. No one with a law degree in sight. Nowadays it is less, but they still have quite a few.

It can work.

China also runs re-education camps and is directly involved in a genocide, so... yes, looking at it through just the right lens, it can work.

Not defending them, but in the US our taxes directly fund genocide. We don't get competent domestic policies in return.