Os caminhos estreitos da economia portuguesa: Trabalho, produção, empresas e mercados

• Main Author: José Reis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centro de Estudos Sociais da Universidade de Coimbra 2009-06-01
• Series: Revista Crítica de Ciências Sociais
• Subjects: Portuguese economy; employment; growth; inequalities
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/rccs/323

This text begins with the theoretical conviction that diversity is an essential feature in the organisation of economies, thereby distancing itself from the globalist views that have predominated in the social sciences. The Portuguese economy is analysed in terms of what is considered to be one of its central features – extensive use of the labour force. Following this, it is argued that availability of labour has not led to good business management, since innovation and inclusion are lacking. Labour is, therefore, the basis of growth, but not of fair redistribution. The dilemmas faced by the Portuguese economy are additionally affected by what takes place in its limited export markets.