The Casas do Povo in Madeira and the Integration and Control of Peasants under Corporatist Authoritarianism (1936–1974)

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the reconfiguration of rural society in Madeira considering the establishment of the Casas do Povo (People’s Houses), a key pillar of the corporatist structure promoted by the Estado Novo regime at the local level. Between 1936 and 1973, 17 Casas do Povo were founded across the archipelago, with a significant, sometimes lasting, impact on the everyday lives of rural communities. The study begins by examining the institutional implantation of these entities, starting with their initial rollout in the 1930s, and highlights two major phases of reinforcement and expansion: the late 1950s and the early 1970s. These were periods not only of territorial proliferation but also of a redefinition of the functions and responsibilities assigned to these organisations. The research focuses on medical and social assistance practices, as well as on the cultural, recreational, and sporting activities carried out by the Casas do Povo in the various parishes where they were established. To this end, the article draws on a wide range of sources, including regional newspapers and previously unexamined archival materials from the Comissão de Inquérito aos Elementos da Organização Corporativa (Parliamentary Historical Archive) and the Inspeção dos Organismos Corporativos (National Archive of Torre do Tombo). By focusing on the insular context, this study contributes to a more decentralised understanding of Portuguese corporatism, shedding light on the interplay between regime ideology and the social and geographic specificities of Madeira.

Keywords: Corporatism; Madeira; Estado Novo; Casas do Povo.