The Brazilian state left services essential for economic or urban integration that it could not provide or manage to private institutions such as the Church or voluntary associations. Of these, business interest groups were the most important. As noted, in the nineteenth century private institutions performed, even in the most advanced nations, many of the services today undertaken by government. Because of the comparative weakness of the Brazilian state, the range of services provided by private agencies was correspondingly wider. Within their recognized spheres of activity, business interest groups performed them with a remarkable degree of autonomy.

Economic integration came to the forefront when Portuguese mercantile restrictions ended in 1808, widening the scope for economic development. To take full advantage, Brazil had to integrate its economic practices both nationally and with other countries in the Atlantic trading community. Business law, commercial usage, measurement, and other aspects of trade had to be made uniform throughout Brazil and made to conform to the standards of the nation's trading partners. Economic information and registry services also had to be provided. The problem of urban integration also loomed. Nineteenth-century economic development brought an even more rapid city growth. Most of Brazil's major cities more than tripled in size during the nineteenth century, with Rio de Janeiro, Sāo Paulo, and Belém expanding at an even greater rate. Since nearly all began the century as little more than small towns, they lacked not only physical facilities but essential urban services. Sanitation, charitable and relief agencies, and fire and police protection were often inadequate or absent. They had to be rapidly introduced, even when government initiative and resources were lacking.