This manuscript analyzes the changes in Brazilian public administration over the years and the attempts to reform and improve the effectiveness of the delivery of public services. There are three main  modes of operation in the  Brazilian public administration:patrimonialism, bureaucratic and managerial. Even though reforms have taken some effect over the decades, all three modes subsist in different forms in the public organizations. After the democratization of the country, there has been a decentralization process and a growing influence of civil society on public affairs, but accountability is still low.  Reforms were carried out by authoritarian and democratic governments from different political spectrums, but the quality of public administration and governance still suffers from ineffectiveness in the delivery of public services and patrimonialism, resulting in many cases of corruption and mismanagement. The worsening of the financial situation of the country tends to aggravate the situation in the future.