Brazilian technocrats and economic development policy
| Published date | 01 April 1985 |
| Date | 01 April 1985 |
| Author | David C. Bruce |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1002/pad.4230050207 |
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND DEVELOPMENT,
VOI.
5,
NO.
2,
169-175 (1985)
Brazilian technocrats and economic development
policy
DAVID
C.
BRUCE
Monterey Institute
of
International Studies
SUMMARY
Are there factors of continuity that help in predicting economic development policy in Third
World countries? What groups will influence policy as regime types change?
In
Latin America
today several military regimes are shifting to civilian leadership. Technocrats could provide
continuity as new decision makers face difficult economic choices. The Brazilian case
provides
a
dramatic example, given the prominent role played by technocrats during the
military regimes since 1964 and the increased electoral activity begun in 1982. This study
evaluates the role and potential future impact of Brazilian technocrats. It uses the example of
Brazilians trained
or
otherwise influenced by the
U.N.
Economic Commission for Latin
America (ECLA). Given that ECLA has been
a
major force in promoting development policy
involving planning and import substitution, the Brazilians in question could affect major
policy change during the current economic crisis.
INTRODUCTION
During the
1960s
and
1970s
experts found it useful to classify many Latin American
regimes as ‘bureaucratic-authoritarian’ (O’Donnell,
1973;
Malloy,
1977;
Collier,
1979).
Part of the authoritarian element involved the active participation in
government by the military. The bureaucratic dimension included the traditional,
spoils bureaucracy plus the newer, more highly trained technocrats. As the military
leaders move back toward the barracks-either reality
or
promise in several
countries today-what will be the role of the technocrats?
Will
they affect
approaches to economic development policy?
Most likely, many will remain in government, serving the newly elected officials.
Therefore, it is critical to evaluate the orientations of such individuals who might
continue to provide the underpinnings of development policy and set the tone for the
alignment
of
overseas economic relations. The Brazilian case stands out, given the
prominent role played by technocrats during the military regimes since
1964
and the
increased electoral activity begun in
1982.
Over the years, many technocrats from throughout Latin America received
valuable technical training in the field
of
development economics from the United
Nations Economic Commission
for
Latin America (ECLA). Furthermore, policies
promoted by ECLA such as increased import substitution and expanded internal
markets have recently been receiving renewed attention, especially in Brazil.
Consequently, ECLS-trained people may be making key contributions to policy
David Bruce is Adjunct Professor of International Policy Studies, Monterey Institute
of
International
Studies,
425
Van Buren Street, Monterey, CA93940,
U.S.A.
0271-2075/85/020169-7$01
.OO
01985 by John Wiley
&
Sons, Ltd.
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