Public Management in South America

Abstract

There has been a global movement that has changed the nature of the state and its administration. Reforms have been implemented in Brazil, as they have in many other countries. This article aims to examine some profound changes in Brazilian public administration that have taken place during the last century, focusing on the modifications introduced since 1990. The analysis will be extended and illustrated in greater depth, using the example of the reforms that are currently being implemented in the State of Minas Gerais, and in the City of Porto Alegre. The analysis focuses on the Brazilian case, but examples of reforms in other countries from South America are also provided. The paper concludes arguing that a number of efforts have been made to improve the performance of public administration, but it is not at all clear that these attempts are bringing a better quality of life to society.

Key words:

• Public sector reform
• new public management
• South America
• Brazil
• management shock

Acknowledgement

The authors wish to express their appreciation to Ms Kênnya Kreppel Dias Duarte – from the Planning and Management Department of the State of Minas Gerais – who supplied crucial information about the Management Shock.

Notes

¹ During this period, the following generals held the presidency: Castello Branco (1964–7), Costa e Silva (1967–9), Médici (1969–74), Geisel (1974–9) and Figueiredo (1979–85).

² Created in 1989.

³ The Government eliminated 113,768 decrees, form a total of 123,370 produced since 1889.

⁴ Constitucional Amendment no. 19 from 4 June 1998.

⁵ Law 9.790 of 1999. Until July 2002 there existed 563 recognized OSCIP.