On the other hand Jorges trust in the competence and good-will of the central planners is equal parts adorable and terrifying 
Why do you say that? 
Glad you answered your own question later in your own post:
Buy I do believe that governments are inevitable and necessary.
No shining piece of technology can solve by itself a social/political problem like corruption, poverty, famine, opression, etc.. Such problems must be attacked by social/political struggle, starting with trying to get the best laws and government we can.
You represent very well what I call the "Grand Utopia": the belief that it is possible and feasible to have a central government populated by people of good-will, working hard to maximize happiness and benefits for all and actually achieving such a goal.
In light of how often this has been tried and with what results, this is a far more outlandish utopia than the ridiculous idea that less centralization of power might bring about more prosperity and happiness for everyone.