STATE, BUSINESSMEN, AND DICTATORSHIP (1937-1945)

Abstract

The article addresses the role of business leaders in the Estado Novo dictatorship – with emphasis on industrial entrepreneurs. Mapping the actions of entrepreneurs in the Authoritarian capitalist State – within the scope of civil and political organizations – we analyze the ways in which the business leaders sought to insert themselves in government institutions. Considering that economic interests express their materiality in the political struggle, we approach the collective action of businessmen during the Vargas dictatorship. Thus, through the actions of their organic leaders in State agencies, the business elite reinvented forms of political participation within the Authoritarian State and influenced the preparation of political guidelines that affected the formulation of government action plans.