Discussion paper

DP163 Portugal and Europe: The Longest Transition

This paper considers the Portuguese transition towards full membership of the European Community in the light of the conflicts between domestic political objectives and the process of economic integration and liberalization. The paper studies two "integration episodes", the development of an economic union between Portugal and its African colonies and the establishment of democratic socialism since then. The paper contrasts the recent economic experience of Portugal with its neighbour Spain. The view that EC membership is desirable because it ensures Portugal against dictatorship is also examined and criticized. The paper concludes by examining the lessons of the postwar experience for the latest integration episode, Portugal's transition to full EC membership.

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Citation

Braga de Macedo, J (1987), ‘DP163 Portugal and Europe: The Longest Transition‘, CEPR Discussion Paper No. 163. CEPR Press, Paris & London. https://cepr.org/publications/dp163