The (socio)economy of Portuguese agriculture in the 1980s: facts and ideas

Abstract

This article discusses the contributions of some of the currents of thought which are most representative of the various positions that were assumed throughout the 1980s in the analysis of the paths which Portuguese agriculture(s) and farmers might possibly and desirably follow. The background against which the discussion develops are the challenges posed by the integration of Portugal into the European Community at a time when the main economic and doctrinary bases of the common agricultural policy were called into question. The currents of thought analysed differ greatly in the way in which they view the potentialities of the different types of productive units and agents which give life to Portuguese agriculture. Thoses differences arise from the way the various theoretical and methodological frameworks are put into action, although they may present one common feature: they are all going through a stage of transition and perplexity where there is as yet no room for safe and final answers. This is also the attitude taken by the author, who nevertheless expresses his own views and critical judgement.