American Academy of Political and Social Science

Reform of the State: An Alternative for Change in Latin America Author(s): Carlos Blanco Source: Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol. 606, Chronicle of a Myth Foretold: The Washington Consensus in Latin America (Jul., 2006), pp. 231-243 Published by: Sage Publications, Inc. in association with the American Academy of Political and Social Science Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/25097826 Accessed: 27/11/2010 16:05
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Democracy and Caribbean

is a current countries.

struggle

in several a

Latin

American

of citizens majority Although to authoritarian democratic rule, indicators sug prefer is institutions for democratic gest support progressively From the mid-1980s the onward, deteriorating. problem rose to to of and prominence, governability proposals In this context, reform the state refers reform emerged. profound institutions, tions while to new that transformations political produce new of and new social rela styles leadership, ones. Conflict and con existing eradicating as structures result associated with vested dismantled new are The vested less and and new replaced by interests. Weakening less able to deal with struc states inter

Reform of the State: An Alternative for Change in Latin

America

frontation interests tures in Latin the for that the

were

that created America

nal discontent.

on the demands gap between placed state and its to address them the need explains ability In some countries, reform. citizens have concluded nor have want the democracy they neither they have want. democracy they governance; Latin ability; reform America; of the state; govern

Keywords:

democracy

CARLOS BLANCO

By

is experiencing a difficult moment in Latin America and the Caribbean. Even Democracy a of citizens prefer democratic though majority to authoritarian rule, indicators suggest a pro in support for demo deterioration gressive a conflict that has an cratic institutions, posed serious challenge to the region increasingly since the 1980s. Although support for democracy on economic does not depend fac exclusively tors, it is strongly affected by them. According to the Latino-barometer survey, for example, for and satisfaction with democracy fell support
Carlos at was Blanco is a of Latin American professor as well as a professor associate studies of the

Boston a

University

Universidad Central de Venezuela. From 2001 to 2005, he

scholar and research visiting that served and before University at Harvard the for Presidential His recent as minister

state and also reform ofthe ofthe president Commission State in Venezuela. for Reform

works

include La Reforma del Estado y la Comisi6n

para la Reforma La Venezuela by Ediciones del Estado and Revoluci6n the latter 2002. de Hugo Chavez, de La Catarata, Espana,

Presidencial y Desilusion: published DOI:

10.1177/0002716206289333

ANNALS, AAPSS, 606, July 2006

231

232

THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

from 61 to 53 percent and going 1996 to 2003, dropping by 8 points between from a substantial to a bare majority (Latinobarometro 2003). on the value of democ Public opinion has thus moved away from consensus is that sup But perhaps the most important and least expected achievement racy. for democracy decades has not eroded entirely. Given that it has weathered port to be robust. of economic consider for democracy crisis, one might support to fluctuate with the ups and downs of the economic it continues Nonetheless cycle and remains quite fragile. In terms of politics the Latino-barometer and political parties, suggests a their dose of cynicism among citizens, whose opinions often contradict healthy behavior. For example, the 2003 report asks why, if 42 percent of respondents say are to vote for parties and 39 percent believe that the parties are they disposed in political parties, a dis effective, say they lack confidence nearly 90 percent that increased by more than 13 points in 2002 alone (Latinobarometro crepancy faith in democracy. Indeed, the regional 2003). These data suggest a declining of political instability and authoritarian rule points to unresolved panorama prob in democratic about the and skepticism lems, a lack of confidence principles, undermines democratic gov process itself (UNDP 2004). This loss of confidence in the Andean region. ernability, especially

to originate It is not enough for a government itmust constantly in democratic processes; as representative ofthe itself relegitimate on an basis. ongoing people

rule is not the ability of gov of democratic A key issue for the perpetuation of civil society to accept leaders to maintain control but the disposition ernmental norms. The a social contract that is not and constitutional problem specifies legal the ability to govern but the legitimacy of government itself, an issue that can only be resolved by those who are governed and not the people who govern them. In a of citizens toward the state requires the confidence democracy, governability is a new facet of rule in Latin America, which and its leaders. Governability It is not enough for a gov traditional concepts of governance. requires deepening it must constantly in democratic to originate ernment processes; relegitimate ofthe people on an ongoing basis. itself as representative so has grown acute in the current era because of governability The problem leaders it lie outside of the traditional relation between many factors affecting

REFORM OF THE STATE 233

that a growing array of productive, mercantile, and cultural circuits cross national boundaries financial, technological, social, freely, new transnational coun creating a reality that constrains the behavior of individual tries and their political leaders. As producers, consumers, and social actors, citizens now lie at the center of a inwhich they huge web of global influences. The forms and spiritual needs, and the way these needs are articulate their material, symbolic, satisfied, are increasingly determined by transnational factors. is In other words, democratic because people are in governability challenged ever greater measure most of their demands citizens of the world, even though must still be satisfied within the framework ofthe nation state. As citizens ofthe nations increasingly express demands inhabitants of developing world, originat in the tastes of advanced soci cultures and consumer ing political postindustrial that go well beyond the satisfaction of basic needs. eties, articulating wants a new kind of citizen who is Global economic integration has created capable, an end to poverty while on environmental at once, of pro insisting demanding tection and gender equity, desires usually associated with advanced states of development. are also constrained insti National governments increasingly by international tutions. In the case of Latin America and the Caribbean, especially, organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, along with the to U.S. Treasury, have obliged authorities fiscal and monetary adopt policies that at least must adhere of the "Washington Consensus"; reflect the viewpoint they to these policies if they wish to receive economic assistance. During the 1990s, severe institutional were on economies the adjustments throughout imposed As a result, without how they might affect governability. region considering new conflicts nation-states and citizens were challenged by reflecting demands, arena. in the international and possibilities needs, originated arose to promi From the mid-1980s of governability onward, the problem nence Latin America and the Caribbean?not the classic problem of throughout but a new threat from the dissatisfactions being threatened by authoritarianism of citizens and the inability of political institutions and leaders to address their in the In this sense, governability century is not a prob complaints. twenty-first to the prevailing lem that is exogenous and political social, economic, order; to the global market economy and threatens its continu rather, it is endogenous ity from within. and citizens. Globalization means

Structural
The never

Adjustment

was economic model of Import Substitution Industrialization populist in a manner compatible with sustainable nor were its implemented growth, policies well suited to achieving long-term macroeconomic equilibrium, yielding a crisis of that became governability increasingly apparent during the 1980s. At the end of that decade and at the ofthe 1990s, it became clear that exit beginning

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from the crisis would require structural changes well beyond those in the economic realm. The collapse of the socialist world not only recognized the huge cost that in the twentieth century had endured because of social experimentation humanity to but represented the end of a system that had heretofore offered an alternative in society. The socialist those seeking greater justice and equality catastrophe went well beyond its repressive the suffering of those who had lived under a regimes. It also signaled the end of model for social and economic development in the third world. it The end of the cold war was more than an armistice to avoid an Armageddon; also involved the implosion of a social system. Although capitalist society and the it quickly became clear that the entry of former market had evidendy triumphed, socialist countries into the global economy was not going to be easy. New difficul a task that was ties arose to initially delay the integration of the global market, to be easy given assumed conditions the end of the cold war. peaceful following even Instead, the transition to capitalism brought disruptions throughout the globe, in those nations where democracy and market relations had long prevailed. mass war The resurgence of nationalism, fundamentalism, migration, guerilla crime such as narcotics traffick fare, terrorism, and new forms of transnational localized wars that were insoluble using mafias, produced ing and state-centered this instability occurred during a time when traditional mechanisms. Moreover, as were the ranks of the poor the world, not diminishing increasing throughout economic Rather than rapid the apostles of the market had predicted. develop as the constituent of global elements ment, conflicts and contradictions emerged society at the millennium. these deficiencies and sufferings laymore formidable Beneath scientific, tech does not The existence of these challenges and cultural challenges. nological, demonstrate that when the need to restructure markets; gainsay they simply for reform, they inevitably human beings cease being the point of reference in the new its victims. In this sense, what is required for development become is an ethic that them human beings front and center and makes century places and implementation of all social, eco the organizing principle for the formulation nomic, and political policies. The market the world has both system that is presently spreading throughout even when tailored to local circumstances. and weaknesses, carefully strengths The problems are especially acute in countries lacking the cultural aspirations and arena. itmay be motivations associated with interaction in a competitive Although to it is also impossible to build a modern without the market, society impossible construct amodern with the market alone. The gap between what the mar society ket can do and what it cannot do alone signals the need to reform the state.

Economic
The

Change

in Latin

America

and

the Caribbean

a in the 1980s. western entered of turbulence period hemisphere to in the foreign debt crisis, the economic disorder eventually spread Originating

REFORM OF THE STATE 235

or successive waves. The international in the region in immediate economic of misguided viewed the crisis as a manifestation community initially states on withered that had been civil societies bloated imposed by policies were favor incapable of generating regulation and asphyxiated by government the the excessive debt run up by many nations, able market conditions. Given natural tendency was to see the crisis in financial terms, leading to an emphasis on economic reform and the structural adjustments imposed by the International of Fund. But in the end, this partial and incomplete conceptualization Monetary As structural economic reforms democratic the crisis compromised governability. were the need to attend to rising social conflict and civil unrest implemented, as the order of the became apparent, and social policies emerged increasingly to certain classes to avoid the intensification of day, offering remedial assistance social conflict. had acquired arising from readjustment By the late 1990s, the social problems in the international arena, and more resources greater visibility and legitimacy were devoted to their solution. The to social prevailing approach policy, however, was characterized two important weaknesses. it conceived of social pol First, by as a in to pacify civil society while applying correctives icy narrowly "tranquilizer" as to economic it viewed the economic realm. Second, social reform ancillary as a reform and, in so doing, limited its effectiveness political shock absorber. As societies were pushed to restructure their economic and financial infrastructures, social compensation would ensure a tran makers assumed that adequate policy sition that was not overly traumatic so that a new equilibrium of economic well in the saying, This sentiment was embodied could ultimately being prevail. international officials at the time, "The best social policy commonly repeated by is a good economic policy." economic benefits did not flow from the policies at the same Unfortunately, as social demands. To address this imbalance and improve execution in the pace all countries to emphasize to leaders began institutional transformations public sphere, to the the efficacy and efficiency of state services. Thus, the state moved improve was still subordinate center of the to the need for institutional policy reforms but realm. Policies were adopted to promote privatization, reforms in the economic secure the of central banks, further the development of regulatory independence
institutions, transform the customs system, and dismantle economic controls.

These

were intended to transform the economic role of the state and changes new institutions to and culture of the market. the competence generate promote were The deficiencies of this narrow conceptualization quickly revealed by its to achieve sustainable democratic and human development. governance inability the economic realm over pressing social questions led to conditions of Privileging The imposition of structural adjustment weakened ungovernability. democracy were divorced from the it synonymous with harsh by making policies that feelings and needs of citizens, thus provoking authoritarian nostalgia among both citizens and leaders. The public grew disenchanted with political parties and the very institutions of democracy, which seemed of guaranteeing work, incapable and decent conditions of life for all. In the face of this disenchantment, income,

236

THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

economic that they leaders looked for new ways to impose unpopular policies to be and believed from international organizations obligatory, given pressures Consensus. ofthe Washington the hegemonic ideology measures were The authoritarian style with which many economic adjustment led inevitably to violations of human rights. In some cases, the violations imposed were chronic and systematic in character, though usually of low intensity, whereas in others they acquired massive In the end, as the and scandalous proportions. was and as poverty, social conflict, and of economic prolonged period adjustment as the basis for social to rise, the vision of economic disorder continued change transformation collapsed.

The Deterioration

of the State

to reform the state implicitly recognize that forces well beyond the Proposals new the globe, producing market are fomenting profiles for change throughout societies, nations, and states. As a result, reform does not refer to simple techni transformations but to profound political that cal or administrative adjustments new institutions, new of leadership, and new social relations while styles produce con eradicating what existed before. Such reform inevitably brings conflict and as certain structures associated with vested interests are dismantled frontation and replaced by new structures that create new vested interests. is being eroded is necessary because the integrity of the nation-state Reform on several fronts. The economic crisis has brought about a growing incapacity the populist to carry out the redistributive associated with functions govern in Latin America. The incapacity of the state is ments that formerly prevailed in the deterioration and the decline of ser of public infrastructure also evident in and sanitation. The resulting decline vices, notably public health schooling a reduction in human capital that is rarely taken into and education represents account on the national of state services has brought a level. The deterioration in the of life for most people, putting the state in a weak marked decline quality to assume new and to arbitrate solutions, required position especially when tasks. difficult in the The ongoing crisis in public services has stimulated a loss of confidence citizens have lost confi state by important segments of the population. Many the in the leaders and institutions of the democratic dence state, exacerbating that to some degree prevail throughout Latin America. of governability problems no one believes about the proper role of the state in a market Whatever society, one proposes its basic social functions. For this reason, a clear dete abandoning to the legitimacy of the state rioration in public services offers a severe challenge the door is the state can no longer carry out its social functions, itself. When A to the erosion of other functions that rely on its social performance. opened of life has led to the belief that the political system has neither the falling quality interest nor the ability to confront the manifold challenges posed by globalization.

REFORM OF THE STATE 237

Democratic that values have suffered as a result, and the view is spreading are of little social rights and guarantees the constitutions and laws that establish practical value. sentiment The spread of this pessimistic the distrust of citizens deepens the ability of state actors to lead toward the state and its institutions, undermining are entrusted. Public dis and reducing the range of functions with which they is amplified of corruption that are not ade satisfaction by frequent examples and ongoing scandals that follow in their wake. The result is quately punished a further decline in esteem is toward the state and its officials, which public in the growing antagonism between citizens and leaders. reflected is While this crisis of confidence underneath the nation-state, unfolding another is blossoming above it. Processes and financial globalization of economic now allocate to entities attributes and authorities supranational formerly associ ated with the nation-state. Fiscal and economic decisions that were formerly con sidered the sovereign right of state actors have been transferred to multinational institutions and to foreign markets exercise de that, for all intents and purposes, facto control over key elements of macroeconomic decision making. Despite the and downs ofthe global economy, there is a diversity of new forms of transna ups to resist is in a position tional association, this and no single country eco to As a result, nation-states have attempted integrationist dynamic. forge at the nomic and political connections levels, through repeated summits highest the region, the hemisphere, between heads of state and government within and the globe, including the forging of special links between and its former Spain
colonies.

Meaningful

social

change

resistance from powerful to lose status and power

new arrangements.

. . . presupposes those who expect under the

as elsewhere is that states in Latin America, inevitable conclusion in the are in a and are less and less able to deal with world, weakening tangible way The gap between internal discontent. the social demands placed on the state and its ability to address them the need for reform. There is little doubt at explains this point that the crisis has moved beyond its social and economic dimension a into the realm of the political. Even to of citizens continue though majority as to for democracy it is nonetheless express support opposed dictatorship, The

238

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true that specific democratic institutions such as the legislature, the courts, the to seri find themselves unions, and civil associations parties, presidency, subject ous doubt and increased In some countries, citizens have public questioning. nor have the concluded that they neither want the democracy they have democracy
they want.

in state actors are incapable of developing to promote When policies change is a loss of faith in the political system and desired directions, the ultimate result its prevailing the crisis of democratic institutions?hence governability. Although the region to reorganize have been adopted strong adjustments throughout to restoring these may have been indispensable national economies, and whereas macroeconomic the same policies have reduced the quality of life for health, many people. The fact that some social advances have been achieved through does not gainsay the fact that large segments ofthe population have readjustment in living standards opens the way to neoauthor been impoverished. This decline itarian formulations.1 For those segments of society that have borne the brunt of as desirable, economic authoritarianism has come to be perceived readjustment, or at the very least acceptable. The reform of the state thus emerges as a necessary response to these exigen a cies. In the wake of the growing crisis of democratic legitimacy, there is pro Latin the state apparatus found need to redefine and transform throughout the state America Needed reforms include democratizing (COPRE 1988,17-74). and efficacy of public services, and recon and society, increasing the efficiency the public and private sectors. Such reforms the relationship between figuring to authoritarianism, which may appear inevitable offer a democratic alternative of citizen distrust of the state and the deepening the ongoing deterioration given toward democracy and its values.

A New Conception

of Change

crisis in Latin America has led to a growing crisis of In sum, the economic to reconsider the nature and which has obliged countries democratic legitimacy, countries have begun to experi of the structural adjustment. Different meaning in pol to three basic innovations ment with different approaches, which has led are for economic, and political restructuring formulation. social, First, plans icy are so that institutional in domains multiple changes integrated, increasingly a new in a coordinated leaders have placed fashion. Second, implemented on the economic policies are seen to sustainability of reforms, such that emphasis on a broader set of reforms that serve as catalysts for greater political and depend it is increasingly institutional that, in the long run, recognized change. Finally, trans not only economic economic requires changes but broader development and public policies. of culture, social organization, formations institutions, legal institutional In short, sustained economic requires the wholesale development social and political system. ofthe transformation

REFORM OF THE STATE 239

involve changes at all levels of state and of this magnitude Transformations relations of power. Some sectors emerge and ultimately alter preexisting society better off, whereas others do not. Meaningful social from the readjustment resistance from those who expect to lose sta thus presupposes change powerful tus and power under the new arrangements. The fundamental choices faced by a involve a redistribution of power?the birth or death society always developing or socialization of a of an institution, the privatization the enterprise, productive or elimination or of some administrative the delegation incorporation procedure, concentration of power. Whatever choices are made inevitably enhance the posi tion of some social actors while that of others. undermining reform thus depends on a political process that is independent of its Achieving content, be it economic, administrative, technical, or whatever. The polit explicit the fact that for a reform ical character of the process of social change highlights on both a hori to occur, a dynamic is necessary redistribution of social power zontal plane (center to periphery) and on the vertical dimension (national to sub are thus sense. First, every economic, in a double Reforms national). political of power, for without social, or cultural change requires a redistribution political, the reform would be blocked, delayed, or distorted by resis such a redistribution tance from those affected. Second, given that change requires an alteration of reformers must formulate a political strategy to achieve it. power relations,

Reforming

the State

The possibility of reforming in Venezuela, the state was first broached where a Commission the president?in December for the Reform of 1984?appointed a space for citi the State. Over the course of a decade, this commission opened zens to consider and cultural administrative, institutional, potential political, reforms. The central idea was that economic reforms were not the only changes in needed. Indeed, the most important reforms were political and institutional nature. Reformers viewed broader institutional change as for mak indispensable ing economic development politically viable and socially sustainable. To attack the problem of to for directly, it is ultimately necessary governability a mulate of political power. Given this political program for the redistribution view of reform, three fundamental are comprehensive changes required: reform its institutional structure and ing the state in the strict sense by transforming relations between the state and civil society by restruc organization, reforming means turing the by which citizens and leaders interact, and reforming political the mechanisms under which citizens influence participation by transforming state actions to guarantee real popular influence. on the Which of these changes is pursued and in what order country depends under consideration and its respective of social and political forces. In lineup some countries, reform may emerge from a conflictive political struggle rather than a structured design or plan, owing to the absence of suitable mechanisms for

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THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

citizen political participation. In other countries, reforms may be initiated by the state in consultation with civil society, and in some particularly by chief executives cases the end of the 1980s, awareness of the need for state by legislatures. By a to formulate reform prompted majority of Latin America's executives plans for reform and to offer them as part of broader programs for governance (Grindle 2000, 1-36). the 1990s, the reform ofthe state became an in During obligatory component in many countries for leadership and was expressed the creation of proposals by new institutions to design and organize administrative reforms. In the course of successive summits between heads of state and government, the theme of demo to achieve it became a constant. cratic governability and the reforms necessary new relations between These reform efforts not only produced citizens and the state but also conferred upon citizens new social and political rights. The coming a broader process of democratization, of movements together yielded providing a new model for social and economic transformation known as Sustainable Human Development.

Reforming Market Society

At the beginning two political orienta of the 1990s, a debate raged between tions in Latin America: neoliberal and statist. This debate was highly ideological and in many ways skirted core issues. In the end, consensus was reached on the
need to restructure market economies, at least among mainstream participants in

iswhat are the most efficient and democra the debate. The remaining question a market economy. in Latin America tic means for constructing sug Experience of globalism, that under current conditions traditional alliances between gests interests and state actors often stifle entrepreneurial elite private culture and for the development of market relations characterized leave insufficient space by the free play of supply and demand. in the region have meant Persistent that economic restructuring inequalities into a competitive mar and spontaneously often does not translate immediately has frequently served to ket among equals. On the contrary, opening markets concentrate and perpetuate exclude citizens from economic resources, wealth, the end result is counter to rosy existing inequalities. Under such circumstances, an economic economic forecasts. Rather than promoting growth and democracy, reemer to the market paves the way for the opening institutionally incomplete as a the forces of exclusion tool to overcome of authoritarianism gence populist from the operation of an increasingly market economy. "savage" emanating is thus a task of markets The proper construction throughout Latin America a market involves the state cannot avoid. The creation of healthy, well-functioning The state extraeconomic tasks, and for this reason state action is unavoidable. secure the rule of law, which in guaranteeing is fundamental must private prop the state must conflicts and resolving contracts, erty, respecting peacefully;

REFORM OF THE STATE 241

create a legal and regulatory apparatus to secure the efficient functioning of markets; and the state must build institutions and create incentives for the training of labor and for the promotion of technological progress, building a stock of human capital. The creation of the markets is a task the state must assume, not exclusively but nonethe less decisively, to promote an efficient, democratic, and productive society.

Moving

toward Governability

on the a is necessarily stable democratic government question high Achieving Latin American political agenda. The issue has surfaced in different ways in differ ent settings but has nonetheless in governmental, been addressed consistently and intellectual circles throughout the region. The goal of stable political, academic, governance has remained elusive, however, owing to a lack of conceptual develop ment. The predominant tendency has been to address issues linked to democratic as isolated themes, governability attacking them through discrete administrative we structures without their underlying recognizing unity. Simply put, conceptual lack a coherent theory to guide the formation of good social policy. in discussions This lack means that although governments participate widely have generally of democratic failed to develop strategic they governability, to tackle the in a systematic and coherent way. designs that enable them problem is favorable to an open discussion the current political environment of a Though the practical and con of questions related to democratic myriad governability, for its realization does not yet exist. In macro-social terms, we ceptual technology to be in a of exploration, the reach of certain ques appear investigating period tions and the possibilities for certain concrete outcomes. Democratic considering a has become institu governability key issue because of worries by international and civil society about social and political tions, national governments, stability, new intellectual on the no to state yielding leadership subject. It is exaggeration that intellectual leaders throughout the region now view democratic governabil as a central concern, with crucial problems and obstacles that must be ity is to be sustained. if economic addressed development resources advances have been slow because for Conceptual systematic research are not made available by governments, for certain academic except centers. Practical advances have been even slower to emerge owing to the diver and national circumstances, and no country has yet sity of conceptual approaches made much progress. On the contrary, spreading poverty and inequality has tended to frustrate progress. the quality of life and eradicating misery Improving constitute essentials tests for governments the region. Progress is also throughout state institutions difficult because often derive from dictatorial, authoritarian, and colonial pasts, yielding legal, political, and cultural traditions hostile to the of change. As a result, the very institutions that should themselves be promotion to reform are often most in need of reform themselves, dedicated social making more change all the complex.

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THE ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY

a transition between the region is undergoing older, Leadership throughout visions of society and a newer, more modern vision associated with populist reforms ofthe state, society, and markets. Elements ofthe new vision are evident in the region, but many leaders remain in traditional rhetoric and trapped polit even when ical practices the need to change. The reform of the they recognize state is thus the to democratic that recognizing principal challenge governability, cannot secure a transition to a more old authoritarian, mechanisms populist of the state is and affluent democratic, efficient, society. The transformation can occur; yet it is not to tackle the required before broader change possible a broader transformation state without of society more generally. reform of the is the fundamental issue for Latin America This broader societal transformation as itmoves into the twenty-first century, yielding a clear agenda for change:
1. Reforms 2. Political to modernize and be enacted electoral systems. parties personalize must to be decentralized, subnational systems organizations developing bring in the citizens into closer contact with the state and thus greater permitting efficiency services of and greater provision public public accountability. must Public of merit administration be reformed and systems by creating simplifying administrative public procedures. the rule 5. The of law. and these enacting public two functions must be policies and to stimulate reformed greater to develop in must

3.

4. The judiciary must be modernized with the goal of clearly and definitively establishing
of process formulating between coherence greater execution. 6. 7. 8. New must to enable be developed the social mobi participation in its effective interventions decisions. public more to and efficient The reformed responsive, presidencies agile, provide of administration. leadership public a to to The armed forces must be modernized strong commitment guarantee democracy for new missions. and better preparation mechanisms ofthe of citizen lization and public must be

efficiency

fundamentals these eight elements constitute required for the effective Together, their execution the region. In some countries, reform of the state throughout amend and political changes, such as constitutional might require ancillary legal ments to weaken of the exec the power of entrenched interests, modernization a utive branch to overcome and modernization of the legacy of authoritarianism, values and a respect for civilian rule rather armed forces to inculcate democratic orientation. than a repressive militaristic with democracy, the trauma of widespread dissatisfaction impoverish Rising of many economies has brought about a cri ment, and the deficient performance In this context, the sis of democratic throughout Latin America. governability as a societal for integrated reform of the state emerges institutional proposal one that offers a new transformation, path for social and economic development in a globalizing world.

Note
1. Marina Ottaway (2003, 1-6) labeled it as semiauthoritarian regimes.

REFORM OF THE STATE 243

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invention 2000. Audacious institutional and democracy Merilee. Grindle, reforms, Press. Baltimore: John Hopkins University 2003. Presentacion de Prensa de Informe Resumen la Democracia Latinobarometro. http://www.latinobarometro.org/ano2003/presentacion_de_prensa_percent20lb_2003.pd. 2003. Democracy The rise of semi-authoritarianism. Ottaway, Marina. challenged: Peace. Endowment for International Carnegie Nations United (UNDP). Program Development in Latin America. New York: UNDP. Democracy 2004. Democracy in Latin

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