This research seeks to understand the discourses about the modernization of the Chilean State developed by political actors during the government of Patricio Aylwin Azocar (1990-1994). Aylwin's administration was the first democratically elected government after 17 years of military rule (1973-1990) and took office amidst strong expectations of change and search for the social justice that the military dictatorship had denied to the citizens. In this context the first process of State modernization in post-dictatorship Chile took place. The sources of information used in this research were official speeches and interviews to key actors in Aylwin's administration. The analysis shows two types of modernization of the State a) The first one going through Congress, which created an institutional framework within the Executive. b) A second one that avoided legislative discussion and introduced a logic of efficiency in the provision of public services.