The information revolution

            Public administration is, by its very nature, highly

information intensive. Government business can be considered as a series

of systems, such as education, health, defense, public revenue and

expenditures, natural resources management, and social security.

            Public administration relies heavily on the use of

information and communication technologies to gather, process, and

diffuse information within both public and private domains.

            Brazil can determine every night its cash and foreign

exchange positions. Every fiscal transaction is validated every day

against budget and public liquidity. The system eliminated the need to

maintain a substantial no-interest float and created many secondary

capabilities. Success depended on many factors, including strict

centralized transaction control, compatible public policies, a highly

skilled work force, and substantial long-term investment.

The text refers to the use of information as