Politician's Dilemma : Building State Capacity in Latin America / Barbara Geddes.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Geddes, Barbara, author.

Series:

California series on social choice and political economy ; Volume 25.

California Series on Social Choice and Political Economy Series ; Volume 25

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bureaucracy--Latin America--History--20th century.

Bureaucracy.

Civil service reform--Latin America--History--20th century.

Civil service reform.

Latin America--Politics and government--20th century.

Latin America.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xiii, 246 p. )

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Berkeley, California : University of California Press, [1994]

Language Note:

In English.

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.

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

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9780520918665

0520918665

9780585098326

0585098328

OCLC:

1149394770