The Portuguese Armed Forces as an element in a «State of Orders»

Abstract

This article applies the «State of Orders» model to the current Portuguese political society, centred on the Armed Forces. This model establishes that political power is divided between the functional heirs of the three orders of the monarchy - Civil Service/people, Armed Forces/nobility, and the Catholic Church/clergy. This application of the model centres on its relationship to a democratic liberal political system, one that is based on universal suffrage. Secondly, the investigation project aims to test public opinion's perception of this model - this aspect was already looked at in a 1985 opinion poll of a representative sample. Another opinion poll of a representative sample will be done to achieve the project's objective. A panel will be established, also on the basis of a representative sample, and this body will be consulted three times. These consultations will be at six-month intervals. This theoretical model will include more variables than in the one used in 1985. In general terms, the main one will be the effect of universal suffrage. The new variables concerning the Armed Forces will be: alterations in the conditions of military service; integration of women into military structures; and new missions.