Public administration in Latin America: promises, frustrations and new examinations

Abstract

Public administration faces great challenges in Latin America, a continent with great economic potential, but with 44 percent of the population in poverty. One of the causes is inequality: whereas 10 percent of the richest possess 48 percent of the national income, 10 percent of the poorest possess only 1.6 percent. There is disillusionment with the rigid orthodox policies applied in the 1980s and 1990s, one of whose objectives was the downsizing of the state; such policies worsened poverty and inequality. Today, according to surveys, the citizenry demands that public administration return to fulfilling an important role associated with civil society: implement active, transparent and well-managed public policies with a strong social emphasis. The article analyzes state reforms made in the past decades, their uncertain results, new social demands and the great challenge that is raised in the region: how to build an intelligent and equitable state that serves to recover the social cohesion that has deteriorated.