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Revista de Sociologia e Política

Print version ISSN 0104-4478

Abstract

REZENDE, Flávio da Cunha. Managerial adjustment and its limits: sequential fault in comparative perspective.Translated byMíriam Adelman. Rev. Sociol. Polit. [online]. 2008, vol.4Selected edition, pp. 0-0. ISSN 0104-4478.

This article focuses on explanations for sequential faults in administrative reform. It deals with the limits of managerial adjustment in an approach that attempts to connect theory and empirical data, articulating three levels of analysis. The first level presents comparative evidence of sequential fault within reforms in national governments through a set of indicators geared toward understanding changes in the role of the state. In light of analyses of a representative set of comparative studies on reform implementation, the second analytical level proceeds to identify four typical mechanisms that are present in explanations on managerial adjustment faults. In this way, we seek to configure an explanatory matrix for theories on sequential fault. Next we discuss the experience of management reform in the Brazilian context, conferring special attention on one of the mechanisms that creates fault: the control dilemma. The major hypotheses that guide our article are that reforms lead to sequential fault and that there are at least four causal mechanisms that produce reforms: a) transactions costs involved in producing reforms; b) performance legacy; c) predominance of fiscal adjustment and d) the control dilemma. These mechanisms act separately or in concert, and act to decrease chances for a transformation of State managerial patterns. Major evidence that is analyzed in these articles lend consistency to the general argument that reforms have failed in their attempts to reduce public expenses, alter patterns of resource allocation, reduce the labor force and change the role of the State. Our major conclusion is that reforms fail sequentially and managerial adjustment displays considerable limitations, particularly those of a political nature.

Keywords : comparative politics; public policies; State reform; implementation dilemmas; administrative reforms.

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