Book contents
- Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
- Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Note on the Texts
- Introduction
- I. Political Thought, Empire and Global Rule
- II. Politics within a Catholic Framework
- III. Political Thought in the Age of Enlightenment
- Themes and Ideas for Reform
- Reformist Legislation
- Kingship, Fundamental Laws and Representation
- Prospects for Reform in the Late Eighteenth Century
- Bibliography
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Reformist Legislation
from III. - Political Thought in the Age of Enlightenment
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 October 2021
Book contents
- Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
- Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Note on the Texts
- Introduction
- I. Political Thought, Empire and Global Rule
- II. Politics within a Catholic Framework
- III. Political Thought in the Age of Enlightenment
- Themes and Ideas for Reform
- Reformist Legislation
- Kingship, Fundamental Laws and Representation
- Prospects for Reform in the Late Eighteenth Century
- Bibliography
- Index
- Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought
Summary
Although frequently overlooked as a piece of political thought, the Diretório is one of the most innovative texts about the government of colonial populations produced by the Portuguese monarchy. During the early stages of Portuguese colonization, although theoretically free, the Amerindians subdued by the Portuguese were often categorized as ‘miserabiles personae’, i.e. persons unable to govern themselves and therefore treated as minors. As a result, many were placed under the tutelage of Catholic missionaries and forced to live in mission villages.
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- Political Thought in Portugal and its Empire, c.1500–1800 , pp. 239 - 274Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021