Political Institutions and Administrative Reform in Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela (2000-2010)

• In Event: Political Institutions and Change

Abstract

After the Lost Decade Latin American countries proceeded to implement significant changes in the nature of their political institutions. Most of these changes were aimed at widening the channels of participation for previously marginalized social groups, and improve their living standards. A closely related set of changes sought to improve the effectiveness of the public administration, by increasing its capacity to produce consistent public policies. The present research looks at the way in which Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela responded to these challenges during the first decade of the 21st century. Findings suggest that Brazil has gone further than its two neighbors in promoting democracy and procuring high quality public polices. Findings also point to an opening of the political system in Colombia. The country is also undergoing a profound process of administrative reform. In Venezuela we find new political forces at play. However, features of the 1999 Constitution intended to further political and social participation have been used to establish a plebiscitarian political system, with frequent violations of Human Rights. Finally, the government has neglected attempts to reform the civil service, thus failing to improve the generally low quality of its policymaking process.

Key words: Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, political institutions, administrative reform

Author

• Augusto S De Venanzi, Indiana University-Purdue University/Fort Wayne