The economic elites of the Alentejo, 1850-1870: a social and commercial examination

Abstract

In this article, the author elucidates some of the profiles, and sociological and commercial behaviour, of the Portuguese economic elite of the Alentejo in the first decades of the pax liberal (1850-1870). This is supported by the biographies of the people who, because of the size of their fortunes and their economic interests, were most prominent in Évora. This city was the Alentejo's main economic market, and the province's symbolic capital. The study covers: social composition, origins, and trajectories; lifestyle and horizontal social networks; family ties; education, and preparation for business careers; public activities in the area of local politics; the general direction of private business; and business conduct. Individual and family routes intersect on this trail. The author reconsiders some established ideas about the structuring process, and about the social and business conduct of the Alentejo's agricultural elites. The classic model of the behaviour of the so-called agrarian bourgeoisie during the formation of the modern Alentejo is not confirmed. The main factors that show this are plural recruitment and composition, convergence in social conduct, and competitive and diversified economic activities.