Work, employment and social changes: trajectories and dilemmas of the social sciences in Portugal

Abstract

The authors present a critical, historical appraisal of the development of social sciences in Portugal, namely of sociology and economy, all around the problematics of work and employment. They propose a periodisation attempting to connect the trajectories of these disciplins with both the evolution within the maturing framework of industrial capitalism and the expansion of the urban salaried classes. While reporting the main authors, works, teaching and research institutions, as well as other scientific initiatives, the various thematic options and guiding methodologies are successively mentioned. Finally, they analyse the achievements, the existing insufficiencies and the main future perspectives for both work and employment.