The political economy of industrial regulation in Portugal New State

the case of fish canning industry

Abstract

In this article we study the application of the New State 'Condicionamento Industrial' to the canned fish industry, one of the main portuguese exports. Taking up the issue of regulation in the country's industrial development, we sought to explain the impact of the bureaucratic mechanism during the second post-war period by measuring its quantitative results, but above all trying to understand its relations with other economic and social policies of the regime. Through new documentary sources, we propose to analyze the decision-making process of 'Condicionamento Industrial', traditionally centered in the State administration, based on the actions of companies and corporatist bodies.