Brazilian public administration between managerialism and social management

Abstract

The purpose of this article is analyzing, in a comparative perspective, the managerial public administration and the societal public administration, in order to propose a research agenda for future investigation. In this perspective, we examine the antecedents and characteristics of these public management models and then we compare these models from six observational variables: the origin, the political project, the structural dimensions emphasized in management, the administrative organization of the State apparatus, the institutions opening to social participation, and the management approach. Finally, we emphasize the limits and benefits of each model, and point out the need to deepen studies about societal public administration and the social management approach.