The Public Administration and Policies Department was the first department established at the CEDES. From the beginning, the four founders of the Center –Horacio Boneo, Marcelo Cavarozzi, Guillermo O’Donnell, and Oscar Oszlak– undertook research activities concerned with the state, their institutions and policies, following the academic project initiated at the Centro de Investigaciones en Administración Pública (CIPA) of the Instituto Torcuato Di Tella. Subsequently, the gradual dissolution of this initial hub led to the virtual disappearance of the department. By mid 2005, the Public Administration and Policies Department was one of CEDES departments again. It focuses on academic production, training, and technical assistance in state organization, design and implementation of public policies, and reform and institutional strengthening of the public sector. The area aims at becoming a point of reference for the better understanding of the role of the state, the impact of its policies, and the conditions for the improvement of public management.