Analysis of Patrimonialism in the Public Administration of the Federal District

Abstract

The objective of this research is to identify and analyze indications of patrimonialism in the Public Administration of the Federal District. It seeks to examine, through the Organic Law of the Federal District, key aspects in legislation and in the conduct of the Executive and Legislative branches that reflect patrimonial practices, as well as to analyze how and where such practices most frequently occur within a federative unit in the twenty-first century. Finally, following the analysis of patrimonialism, the study outlines some of the consequences of this practice within public institutions and in the provision of public services to citizens. It also examines how this issue affects the quality and professionalization of public institutions in the Federal District and discusses possible solutions aimed at mitigating this long-standing, archaic, and entrenched practice of patrimonialism in public management.