Author: Matos, Sérgio Campos

Source: Portuguese Studies, Volume 25, Number 2, 15 September 2009 , pp. 215-229(15)

Publisher: Modern Humanities Research Association

Abstract:

This article attempts to provide a perspective on the conceptions of Iberism in Portugal by looking at its theoreticians and the views of its opponents. Its aim is to answer the question, was Iberism a form of nationalism? Since the 1980s, some historians have had no hesitation in answering in the affirmative, and there is no doubt that in the nineteenth century it aspired to be that. It encompassed differing political doctrines, both unitarist and federalist, and tried (albeit unsuccessfully) to form itself into a social and political movement. However, over the course of the twentieth century the Iberist ideal weakened, retreating to the cultural and spiritual level. This cultural Iberism did not constitute a nationalism since it was not associated with any political movement, nor did it deeply affect public opinion.

Portuguese
Este ensaio procura oferecer uma perspectiva sobre as concepções do Iberismo em Portugal considerando as reflexões, tanto dos seus teorizadores como dos seus adversários. Visa responder à questão, o Iberismo era uma espécie de nacionalismo? Desde a década de 1980, alguns historiadores têm dado uma resposta afirmativa, sem hesitação nenhuma, e no século dezanove, não há dúvida, ambicionava-se a tal título. Abrangia diversas doutrinas políticas, tanto unitaristas como federalistas, e procurava (embora sem êxito) concretizar-se num movimento social e político. Contudo, ao longo do século vinte o ideal iberista enfraqueceu, retirando-se para o nível cultural e espiritual. Esse Iberismo cultural não chegava a constituir um nacionalismo, já que não se associava a nenhum movimento político, nem chegou a atingir profundamente a opinião pública.

Keywords: Iberism; nationalism; Portugal; nineteenth century; twentieth century; Iberismo; nacionalismo; Portugal; século dezanove; século vinte

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Faculdade De Letras De Lisboa

Publication date: 2009-09-15

More about this publication?

• The only English-language journal devoted to the literature, culture, and history of Portugal, Brazil, and the Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa. Launched in 1985, it received the 'Best New Journal Award' of the Conference of Editors of Learned Journals in 1987. It publishes articles, translations, previously unpublished historical and literary texts, bibliographical information, and a survey of research and reviews.

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