Posters Artwork Documents

"New State".

Government of Portugal/Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Lisbon

I sometimes tire of the efforts of philosophers (I would never have survived Philosophy in University) to produce a satisfactory, comprehensive definition of "Fascism". The truth seems to be that the regimes described as "Fascist" by Left-wing agitators encompass a range of loosely connected ideologies. Their common features are Right-wing orientation, nationalism and authoritarianism. Beyond that, there are many variations. Dr Salazar's Portuguese "New State" is usually regarded as "Fascist". Well, perhaps. It was, however, very different in many respects from other purportedly "Fascist" regimes;- even that of Italy, and certainly that of Germany. Apart from Right-wing orientation, nationalism and authoritarianism, the "Novo Estado" was characterized by reactionary Roman Catholicism, a "ruralist" approach to the economy and to social policy, and paternalism. Also, the gap between the official ideology and the reality was much greater than, say, in Germany. The reality, in Portugal, was that of a prerogattive state run on pretty loose principles, largely for the benefit of a small clique of businessmen, bankers and - not to put a tooth in it - criminals willing to co-operate with state objectives in the interests of profit. Were Germany or Italy much different ? A big topic. It can only be noted that official ideology (in its mature form) and reality were rather more closely connected with actual practice than was the case in Portugal. The attached postcard/poster image was one of a series issued to Portuguese schools in 1938. Illustrating "The Lessons of Salazar", these images reflect the official ideology of the régime. This particular image shows the key "lesson" - that of the official slogan of the régime "God, Fatherland and Family". Hardly requires more comment. Except to say that there is no mention of the Secret Police, bankers, smugglers et cetera... not sure that "God" would have felt comfortable in that company ... Best regards, JR.