This chapter looks at how the Portuguese New State (1933–1974) was established according to the principles of an “ethical State”. Despite differences, as exemplified by the constitution of 1933, the Italian fascist conception of the “ethical State” was one of the key sources of inspiration for the construction of the Portuguese New State. We will examine the organization of the New State, with a special focus on how the political system was restructured with the passage of a new constitution and the introduction of norms in what can be described as a process of “authoritarianization” of the New State or of authoritarian transition.

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