Abstract

ACKERMAN, John M.. The Politics of Administrative Development in the United States. Gest. polít. pública [online]. 2005, vol.14, n.2, pp.227-255. ISSN 1405-1079.

A dominant current of thought with regard to administrative reform in Mexico and Latin America recommends the de-politicization of bureaucracy, the reduction of inter-institutional conflict and the isolation of administration from society. Nevertheless, the historical experience of the development of the administrative state in the United States holds very different lessons. The U.S. case reveals that the construction of a strong administrative apparatus is an essentially political endeavor that arises out of inter-institutional conflict and an intense engagement between state and society. Mexico and Latin America would be well advised to pay more attention to the real historical experience of the U.S. and less to development professionals who offer quick solutions and facile recipes based in an idealized representation of the U.S. case.

Keywords : administrative reform; institutional development; accountability; United States; civil society.

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