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The analysis of public management in Panama requires understanding the interaction among three fundamental concepts: government, governance, and governability. This essay examines how these pillars operate in the Panamanian context to explain the State’s capacity to design policies, coordinate actors, and sustain institutional stability. A qualitative methodology based on documentary review—drawing from academic literature, institutional reports, and theoretical frameworks in public administration and political science—was applied. This approach made it possible to identify patterns, tensions, and progress in the country’s governmental practice. The study shows that government represents the formal structure responsible for exercising authority, managing resources, and implementing public policies. Governance broadens the perspective toward collaborative processes involving state, private, community, and multilateral actors, emphasizing transparency, participation, and interinstitutional coordination. Governability reflects the degree of stability, legitimacy, and effectiveness with which the political system implements decisions and responds to social demands. The conclusions highlight that Panama has advanced in administrative modernization and in the incorporation of citizen participation and oversight mechanisms; however, challenges remain, including institutional fragmentation, uneven management capacities, and the need to strengthen public trust. Understanding the relationship among these three concepts provides pathways to improve state efficiency and consolidate long-term public policies.
Este obra está bajo una licencia de Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 4.0 Internacional.
