At a time when public expenditure is undergoing change to accommodate new needs, this report studies the impact of four institutions of the budget process upon re-allocation: medium-term expenditure frameworks, rules of budgetary discipline, the Minister of finance, and programme review. It...

Supreme audit institutions have a distinct role in supporting the development of a more strategic and forward looking state. This report assesses the role of Brazil's SAI – the Federal Court of Accounts (Tribunal de Contas da União or TCU) – in enhancing accountability and informing...

Despite considerable progress made by Latin America's biggest economies in putting their finances in order, numerous challenges remain.  Public spending needs to incorporate more flexibility, ageing populations and social demands threaten future pressures on expenditure, and social and...

The debate on a market-based economy has now entered a new phase in Brazil, addressing the broader context of quality regulation and the reduction of regulatory risk. The improved macroeconomic situation and the progress made by the sectoral regulatory agencies have paid off, and there is also...

Public administration is moving in new directions. Reforms are focusing on the quality of services for citizens and businesses and on the efficiency of administration (the "back office" of government). The OECD is studying these new trends in a multi-annual, cross-country project called "Value...