Reforming the state: A study of the peruvian tax reform

This paper studies one instance of successful state reform, the Peruvian tax administration, by looking at the circumstances (economic and political crises of the 1990s) and the factors (strong presidential support, ability of policy elites, favourable reaction from civil society) that made it possible. The administrative reform, together with changes in tax policies, helped the state increase tax revenues and achieve higher policy efficacy. A longitudinal analysis indicates that, even if exceptional conditions to initiate and consolidate state reform were present, the rhythm and depth of the reform slowed down in the more advanced stages. Changes in bureaucratic leadership, a tax revolt and shifting presidential priorities, together with the lack of reform in the rest of the state, all had a debilitating influence on the tax reform. Those circumstances and factors did not reverse the institutional modernization process, but limited its continuing development and diminished the state's policy efficacy to keep increasing tax revenues.