Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the persistence of patrimonialism in Brazilian public administration, highlighting its characteristics and negative impacts on public service and society. The central issue of the study is how patrimonialist practices, such as clientelism and the exchange of favors, continue to prevail in public institutions, creating an environment conducive to corruption and the prioritization of private interests over the common good. The methodology adopted is qualitative, involving a literature review and critical analysis of the manifestations of patrimonialism in both historical and contemporary contexts, addressing both behavioral and institutional aspects. The study examines the attributes of the patrimonialist model, such as impunity, meritocratic deficits, and lack of control over administrative processes. The conclusion points out that patrimonialism is a structural obstacle to the effectiveness and morality of Brazilian public administration, undermining trust in institutions and perpetuating corruption. The paper suggests that overcoming this issue requires profound reform, focusing on greater transparency, meritocracy, and effective oversight to promote more efficient public management geared toward the collective interest.
Author: João Gaspar Rodrigues
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4413313254