Title Politician's dilemma : building state capacity in Latin America / Barbara Geddes

Published Berkeley : University of California Press, ©1994

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Description 1 online resource (xiii, 246 pages) Series California series on social choice and political economy ; 25 California series on social choice and political economy ; 25. Contents Frontmatter -- Contents -- Figures and Tables -- Acknowledgments -- ONE. The State -- TWO. Reform as a Collective Good -- THREE. Insulation and the Struggle for Reform in Brazil, 1930-1964 -- FOUR. Legislators and the Supply of Public Goods -- FIVE. A Test of the Game Theoretic Model -- SIX. The Political Uses of Bureaucracy -- SEVEN. The Effects of Institutions -- APPENDIX A. Assessment of Achievement for the Various Targets in the Target Plan -- APPENDIX B. Creation of Appointment and Survival Strategy Indices -- APPENDIX C. Variable Construction -- Bibliography -- Index Summary In Latin America as elsewhere, politicians routinely face a painful dilemma: whether to use state resources for national purposes, especially those that foster economic development, or to channel resources to people and projects that will help insure political survival and reelection. While politicians may believe that a competent state bureaucracy is intrinsic to the national good, political realities invariably tempt leaders to reward powerful clients and constituents, undermining long-term competence. Politician's Dilemma explores the ways in which political actors deal with these contradictory pressures and asks the question: when will leaders support reforms that increase state capacity and that establish a more meritocratic and technically competent bureaucracy? Barbara Geddes brings rational choice theory to her study of Brazil between 1930 and 1964 and shows how state agencies are made more effective when they are protected from partisan pressures and operate through merit-based recruitment and promotion strategies. Looking at administrative reform movements in other Latin American democracies, she traces the incentives offered politicians to either help or hinder the process. In its balanced insight, wealth of detail, and analytical rigor, Politician's Dilemma provides a powerful key to understanding the conflicts inherent in Latin American politics, and to unlocking possibilities for real political change Analysis administrative reform movements analytical channel resources to people and projects detailed insure political survival and reelection latin american politics political actors and contradictory pressures possibilities for real political change rational choice theory state resources for national purposes study of politics in brazil Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 223-240) and index Notes In English Print version record Subject Bureaucracy -- Latin America -- History -- 20th century Civil service reform -- Latin America -- History -- 20th century POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Public Affairs & Administration. POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Government -- Executive Branch. HISTORY / Latin America / General Bureaucracy Civil service reform Politics and government Politisches System Verwaltungsreform Politica (america latina) Burocracia. SUBJECT Latin America -- Politics and government -- 20th century. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh88004559 Subject Latin America Lateinamerika Genre/Form History Form Electronic book LC no. 93014439 ISBN 9780520918665 0520918665 0585098328 9780585098326

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