Portugal : Antonio de Oliveria Salazar
António de Oliveira Salazar, born on April 28, 1889, in Santa Comba Dão, Portugal, was a highly influential and controversial politician who served as the Prime Minister of Portugal from 1932 to 1968. Salazar is best known for his authoritarian regime and the Estado Novo ("New State"), a corporatist and conservative corporatist political system that he established in Portugal. His long tenure in power had a profound impact on Portuguese politics, society, and economy during a significant portion of the 20th century.
Early Life and Academic Career:
António Salazar came from a modest background. He studied law at the University of Coimbra, where he developed conservative and Catholic values that would shape his political ideology. After completing his studies, Salazar pursued an academic career, specializing in finance and economics.
Salazar became a professor at the University of Coimbra in 1917 and later served as the university's dean. His academic work focused on economic theory, and he gained a reputation for his conservative views on politics and society.
Entry into Politics:
In 1928, Salazar was invited to join the government as Minister of Finance during a period of economic and political turmoil in Portugal. The country faced financial instability, social unrest, and a series of short-lived governments. Salazar accepted the invitation with the goal of addressing the economic challenges and stabilizing the nation.
In June 1928, Salazar became the Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Óscar Carmona's government. His strict fiscal policies and conservative approach earned him praise from some quarters, but they also faced criticism for their impact on the less privileged sectors of society.
Establishment of Estado Novo:
In 1932, Salazar was appointed as the Prime Minister of Portugal by President Óscar Carmona. He proceeded to consolidate his power and transform Portugal into a corporatist authoritarian state under the Estado Novo regime.
The Estado Novo sought to establish a stable and conservative society based on traditional values, Catholicism, and authoritarian rule. Salazar centralized power, suppressed political opposition, and established a corporatist system where various interest groups were represented in a hierarchical structure.
The regime emphasized social order, economic stability, and the rejection of liberal democracy. Salazar's government restricted civil liberties, controlled the media, and suppressed dissenting voices. The political climate during the Estado Novo was marked by censorship, political repression, and limitations on personal freedoms.
Economic Policies and Autarchy:
One of Salazar's key objectives was to address Portugal's economic challenges. He implemented a series of economic policies aimed at achieving autarchy, or economic self-sufficiency. Salazar aimed to reduce Portugal's dependence on foreign imports and promote domestic industries.
Under Salazar's leadership, the Portuguese economy experienced a period of relative stability, with moderate economic growth and a focus on balanced budgets. However, critics argue that the autarchic policies led to economic stagnation and hindered industrial development.
Colonial Policies:
Salazar's government maintained a strong focus on Portugal's colonial holdings, particularly in Africa. Despite international pressure for decolonization, Salazar sought to preserve and strengthen Portugal's colonial empire. The Portuguese colonial wars, particularly in Angola, Mozambique, and Guinea-Bissau, were marked by protracted conflicts as nationalist movements sought independence.
Salazar pursued a policy of assimilation, integrating the colonies as integral parts of Portugal. This approach was met with resistance from nationalist movements, leading to prolonged and costly conflicts that continued beyond Salazar's time in power.
Late Years and Succession:
In the 1960s, Salazar's health began to deteriorate, leading to a gradual withdrawal from active governance. In 1968, following a stroke, Salazar was replaced as Prime Minister by Marcelo Caetano, though Salazar retained the title of President of the Council (head of government).
Marcelo Caetano continued the Estado Novo regime, but internal and external pressures for political change continued to mount. The Carnation Revolution in April 1974, led by the military, marked the end of the Estado Novo regime. Salazar, who had been in a coma since his stroke in 1968, died on July 27, 1970, without witnessing the end of the regime he had established.
Legacy and Controversies:
António de Oliveira Salazar's legacy remains a subject of debate and controversy. Supporters argue that his regime brought a degree of stability to Portugal during a tumultuous period and preserved the country's colonial holdings. They credit him with economic policies that, to some extent, stabilized the nation.
Critics, however, point to the authoritarian nature of the Estado Novo regime, with its limitations on civil liberties, political repression, and lack of democratic institutions. The economic policies, while achieving short-term stability, are criticized for inhibiting long-term growth and development.
Salazar's colonial policies are also highly controversial, with the Portuguese Colonial War resulting in significant human and economic costs. The insistence on maintaining the colonial empire in the face of decolonization trends drew international criticism.
In post-revolutionary Portugal, the Estado Novo era was officially discredited, and a democratic system was established. The country underwent a period of political, social, and economic transition.
While Salazar's image remains divisive in Portugal, his impact on the nation's history is undeniable. The Estado Novo regime shaped Portugal for decades, leaving a complex legacy that continues to be studied and debated within the context of the country's political and cultural history.
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