From Dictatorship to Democracy in Twentieth-Century Portugal

This book examines Portugal's transition from dictatorship to democracy by focusing on Lourinhã's urbanization and economic development since 1966. Since 1966, Lourinhã's urban landscape has transformed as Portugal democratized. From a rural town with little infrastructure and few institutions in 1966, Lourinhã emerged by 2001 as a modern European town. This work highlights key areas of economic and urban development and argues that Lourinhã's political culture became more institutional, creating a withering expectation of citizen participation in local development, as Portugal transitioned from dictatorship to democracy. Raphael Costa asks whether Portugal was on the path towards democracy before 1974, and if the rapid shift to democracy was the blessing it appeared to be by the 1990s. Did democratization ultimately disenfranchise the Portuguese in important ways? This work uses Lourinhã's development as an example of the Portuguese experience to argue that the CarnationRevolution, although a watershed in Portugal's politico-cultural evolution, should not be understood as the moment when democracy came to Portugal.

Investigates Portugal's politico-cultural evolution in the late twentieth century Focuses on Lourinhã's urbanization and economic development since 1966 Highlights key areas of national economic and urban development

Autorentext

Raphael Costa is Policy and Research Advisor for the Department of Economic Development and Culture Services in the City of Vaughan in Ontario, Canada. He previously taught at York University and McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He is the co-founder of a public history not-for-profit organization, and has worked as a researcher and consultant for both government and non-governmental organizations.

Inhalt

Introduction: Lourinhã in the History of Portugal and Europe's Twentieth Century.- 1. Government, Citizens, and Agricultural Modernization in the Late Twentieth Century.- 2. Economic Development, Infrastructure, Civil Society, and the Rural World in the Age of Mass Tourism.- 3. Lourinhã's Cooperatives as Agents of Development.- 4. Electricity, Water, and Civic Organization for Infrastructure.- 5. A European Lourinhã.- Conclusion: Lourinhã Portugal - Europe.