Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800: Volume 1

Demonstrates the wealth of political thought from early modern Portugal and its empire through a selection of writings by Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian authors.

Pedro Cardim (Edited by), Nuno Goncalo Monteiro (Edited by)

9781108418270, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 21 October 2021

250 pages
22.3 x 14.5 x 2.5 cm, 0.58 kg

Showcasing texts by Portuguese and Luso-Brazilian authors, this volume demonstrates the wealth of the political thought of early modern Portugal and its empire. Gathering together important texts on social order, government, and politics by authors who made a significant contribution to the development of early modern Portugal, it demonstrates that Portugal was the setting for vibrant political debate, often shaped by, and emerging in response to, very particular assumptions, circumstances, and concerns. Combining a chronological approach with in-depth thematic sections, the book explores how some controversies that took place in Portugal centred on themes similar to those in other European countries, while others were linked to the specific nature and history of the Portuguese monarchy and its interactions with other polities. It thus offers an overview of the main debates on politics and government and contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the multifaceted history of European political ideas.

Acknowledgements
Note on the Texts
Introduction
Part I. Political Thought, Empire and Global Rule: 1.1. Diogo Lopes Rebelo, On the Republic Governed by the King, 1496
1.2. João de Barros, Panegyric of King John III, 1533
1.3. Damião de Góis, On Matters of Portugal and Its Empire, 1539
1.4. Luís de Camões, The Lusíads, 1572
1.5. João de Barros, Evangelical Dialogue concerning the Articles of the Faith against the Talmud of the Jews, 1543
1.6. António Pinheiro, Treatise on Just War, ca. 1556
1.7. Fernando Oliveira, The Art of War at Sea, 1555
1.8. Manuel da Nóbrega, Letter to Father Miguel de Torres, 1558
Part II. Politics within a Catholic Framework: 2.1. Jerónimo Osório, On the Institution and Order of Royal Government, 1572
2.2. Amador Arrais, Of the Jewish People, 1589
2.3. Manuel de Góis, Commentary on Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, 1593
2.4. João Salgado de Araújo, Royal Law of Portugal, 1627
2.5. Resolution made in the Cortes by the three estates of the Kingdoms of Portugal, on the acclamation, restitution, and oath of the same Kingdoms to John IV, 1641
2.6. Francisco Velasco de Gouveia, The Just Acclamation of the Most Serene King of Portugal John IV, 1644
2.7. Sebastião César de Meneses, Treatise on Politics, 1649-1650
2.8. Francisco Manuel de Melo, Political and Military Counsel, ca. 1640s
2.9. Manuel Severim de Faria, Notes on Portugal, 1622/1650
2.10. Serafim de Freitas, On the Justice of the Portuguese Empire in Asia, 1625
2.11. António Vieira, Sermon XXVII With the Most Holy Sacrament Exposed, 1680?
Part III. Political Thought in the Age of Enlightenment: 3.1. Luís da Cunha, Political Instructions… to Marco António de Azevedo Coutinho, 1736
3.2. Luís da Cunha, Political Testament, 1742-49
3.3. Alexandre de Gusmão, Letters, 1734
3.4. Luís António Verney, The True Method of Study in order to be useful to the Republic, and to the Church, adjusted to the manners and needs of Portugal, 1746
3.5. António Ribeiro Sanches, Letters on the education of the Youth, 1760
3.6. The Diretório (Royal Charter) that must be observed in the Settlements of the Indians of Pará and Maranhão, unless His Majesty should dispose otherwise, 1755-57
3.7. Legislation on slavery and the slave trade in metropolitan Portugal, 1761, 1773
3.8. Legislation on purity of blood, 1773
3.9. António Pereira de Figueiredo, On Episcopal authority, 1766, 3.10. José de Seabra da Silva, Chronological and Analytic Reasoning, Second Part, 1767
3.11. Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, marquis of Pombal, Most Secret Observations, 1775
3.12. António Ribeiro dos Santos, Critique of the Projected New Code of Pascoal de Melo Freire, 1789
3.13. Pascoal de Melo Freire, Response to the criticism of the planned New Code, 1789
3.14. Luís Pinto de Sousa Coutinho, viscount of Balsemão, Extract from the Notes provided to Abbé Raynal, 1778
3.15. Pascoal de Melo Freire, Fundamental Precepts of the Portuguese Civil Law, 1789
3.16. Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho, Reflections on the Taxation and Finances of Portugal, 1786
3.17. Rodrigo de Sousa Coutinho, Memorandum on the Improvement of the Dominions of His Majesty in America, 1797 or 1798
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Political science & theory [JPA], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]