Abstract

The Chilean public management modernization processes within the Latin American context have been distinguished by their depth, stability, and quality. This article examines the construction of the modernization and professionalization narrative using the disciplinary perspective of Public Administration. For this purpose, a case study design was developed to account for the evolution of public management between 1990 and 2023, considering not only administrative reforms but also one of the most significant determinants of state effectiveness: the availability of specialized human capital. The results indicate that the state's administrative registration systems have failed to accurately represent the volume of public employment and the qualitative changes in the public sector workforce.