Public procurement as institutional infrastructure: an analysis from a political science perspective

Abstract

This article aims to analyze public procurement as a structuring element of the State’s institutional infrastructure, based on a theoretical approach grounded in political science and public law, with emphasis on its historical and normative evolution. It is premised on the understanding that public procurement systems are not limited to administrative instruments aimed at the acquisition of goods and services, but rather constitute complex institutional arenas in which power relations, governance mechanisms, and strategies of indirect market regulation are articulated. The methodology adopted consists of a qualitative bibliographic review, based on theoretical frameworks from institutionalism, state theory, and public governance. The study demonstrates that public procurement plays a central role in consolidating state capacities, influencing administrative efficiency, institutional integrity, and socioeconomic development. It is concluded that strengthening public procurement systems requires not only normative improvement, but also the development of institutional capacities and the incorporation of governance practices oriented toward transparency, accountability, and innovation.