Since the true details of the black budget in the US are mysterious to me as well, I’d rather not speculate.
But here’s an anecdote involving Kosygin about how detached politics and economics can become, even if everyone of high authority in the country are literally on the same committee. Which may partially answer your question.
“I would say that he [Kosygin] was a man who wanted to engage not in politics, but only in economics. He didn’t like Khrushchev, he didn’t like Brezhnev very much. When I asked him about the program of transition to communism by the year 2000, which is part of the CPSU program, he replied: “It does not concern me, I did not participate in this matter.” But somehow, when we were alone, I asked: “But where did the numbers come from? It should have passed through you, shouldn’t it?” “No,” he says, “I wasn’t consulted.” “But you showed me your report, there are other figures.” And he answers: “Well, it’s clear that we don’t do what’s written.” I say, “So where do these numbers come from?” He silently points his finger at the ceiling.”
How big is this megaproject effect when compared for example the fraction that black budjets grab US attention today?
Since the true details of the black budget in the US are mysterious to me as well, I’d rather not speculate.
But here’s an anecdote involving Kosygin about how detached politics and economics can become, even if everyone of high authority in the country are literally on the same committee. Which may partially answer your question.
“I would say that he [Kosygin] was a man who wanted to engage not in politics, but only in economics. He didn’t like Khrushchev, he didn’t like Brezhnev very much. When I asked him about the program of transition to communism by the year 2000, which is part of the CPSU program, he replied: “It does not concern me, I did not participate in this matter.” But somehow, when we were alone, I asked: “But where did the numbers come from? It should have passed through you, shouldn’t it?” “No,” he says, “I wasn’t consulted.” “But you showed me your report, there are other figures.” And he answers: “Well, it’s clear that we don’t do what’s written.” I say, “So where do these numbers come from?” He silently points his finger at the ceiling.”
T.I. Oyzerman