Abstract

CARDENAS, Manuel José. State reform and social - Democracy. Estud. Socio-Juríd [online]. 2000, vol.2, n.2, pp.34-49. ISSN 0124-0579.

The author argues in this article that the biggest challenge of the first decade of the 21 century is the construction of the Colombian state. He points out that when there is a crisis on the political system the causes must be searched either in the state or in the market. The Depression of 1929 was produced by a failure of the market whereas the Great Crisis of the eighties was caused by the breakdown of the state. Dr. Cardenas adds that the latter crisis comprehended not only the fiscal one, but a crisis in the model of social - economic state intervention, as well as in the bureaucratic model. In one side, economic reforms aimed to the market were the response to the need of having a small state; on the other, the response was to provide more freedom for market forces. As a result, the author argues that the 1991 constitution was established for addressing those economic and social crises. A paralyzed state has been unable to comply wholly with these reforms. Dr Cárdenas argues; therefore, that it is not necessary to have a new constitutional reform. He suggests that what should be accomplished is to regain a governable state and strengthen state’s capacity to promote. The actions aimed to reach this are detailed in the article. Those actions are generally directed to reach a liberal - social state. Liberal, because it should use more market controls and less administrative instances in order to obtain economic development. For this, state functions should be decentralized; human capital must be improved; and competence, innovation and knowledge should be stimulated.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )