La gestión pública local: una aproximación al Concejo de Santiago de Cali

Abstract

El Concejo es una corporaci�n administrativa local. Comparte con el alcalde funciones gubernamentales, y por medio de acuerdos le ratifica sus prop�sitos de pol�tica p�blica.Asu vez, exige rendici�n de cuentas a los responsables de ejecutar las pol�ticas. Este art�culo se refiere a la gesti�n realizada entre enero y junio de 2004 y analiza las condiciones t�cnicas y pol�ticas de sus decisiones. Te�ricamente se respalda en los debates generados por los nuevos paradigmas de la gesti�n p�blica que defienden la reducci�n del tama�o del Estado y la incorporaci�n de la gerencia privada en la gesti�n p�blica para buscar una neutralidad administrativa que haga m�s eficiente y eficaz la acci�n del Estado. No obstante la teor�a, el Concejo no demuestra aptitudes tecnocr�ticas en sus decisiones; las posiciones son a t�tulo personal y no grupal ni de bancada. Pocas son las intervenciones producto de estudios serios y comprometidos con los problemas de la ciudad. Por el contrario, se advierten debates reactivos, espont�neos e improvisados. En conclusi�n, la din�mica del Concejo puede obedecer a las caracter�sticas profesionales y pol�ticas de quienes asumen las curules. Y en realidad, el concejal es m�s un pol�tico que un t�cnico que se reproduce gracias a una m�nima clientela que lo reelige peri�dicamente. ABSTRACT The Council is a local administrative corporation. It shares government functions with the major and ratifies its public policy proposals by means of agreements. At the same time, it requires those in positions of responsibility to account for their actions. The article refers to the period of management between January and June 2004 and analyzes the technical and political circumstances of their decisions. Theoretically it is supported by debates arising from new paradigms of public administration that defend the reduction of the size of the State, and the incorporation of private management in public administration, to seek administrative neutrality which would make the role of the State more efficient and effective. In spite of the theory, the Council does not show a technocratic aptitude in its decisions; the positions are of an individual nature and not of groups or political parties. There are few interventions which are the product of serious study and with a commitment to the problems of the city. On the contrary, it engages in reactive, spontaneous and improvised debates. In conclusion, the dynamics of the Council could depend on the political and professional characteristics of those who occupy the seats. And in reality, the councillor is more of a politician than a technician thanks to a small clientele who periodically re-elect him.gestión pública, descentralización, concejo municipal, administración local, política pública, gestión privada, democracia, gobernabilidad, Santiago de Cali