ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains how patrimonialism has influenced governance in the past, with the existence of political oligarchies and the ability of economic interests to influence government decisions, leading to a situation of public power by private companies. The structure of governments in South America and the Caribbean lacked modernization and favored patronage as a practice in the relationship between government and the governed. The model began its transition to higher public administration capacity and social citizenship in more recent years with efforts to establish democratic institutions and abatement of corruption on a regional basis. The Latin American Center of Administration for Development’s (CLAD) establishment in 1972 soon saw the introduction of public administration and professional civil service as a mechanism to promote citizen participation. The members of the Organization of American States signed a treaty in 1996, identifying corruption as a transnational concern and established a platform for the sharing of national efforts to reduce corruption. Most of the work in recent years has taken place at the regulatory level: preparing new laws or reforming the ones that signatory states already have. Bolivia, for example, published a law that establishes general guidelines for ethics in actions, programs, and projects in all governmental organizations across all levels. Colombia has adopted a new anti-corruption law that prohibits public servants from seeking employment in the private sector. Costa Rica changed its law against illicit enrichment in the public service and expanded the list of staff forced to declare any patrimonial situation.
