Half a century or so after António de Oliveira Salazar’s death, he has left behind a double legacy. On one hand, there is his notable work in government, based on fiscal balance, the independent and realistic handling of foreign policy, and his unwavering conviction regarding the place he believed Portugal should hold among nations.

On the other hand, there are the teachings, reflections, and essays characteristic of a statesman who was also a distinguished professor. In Salazar, two dimensions always coexisted: that of an experienced politician who, as a leader, had to make immediate decisions, and that of a theorist focused on analyzing social dynamics.

This book, happily reissued after so long, reveals the quality and fairness of the great Portuguese head of state as a thinker capable of reflecting not only on the historical period he was destined to live in but also, if I may say, sub specie aeternitatis (from the perspective of eternity). —Vicente Massot, Doctor in Political Science

At the dawn of the 21st century, the political and intellectual legacy of António de Oliveira Salazar has garnered renewed attention among those who critique the enduring progressive inclination toward dismantling traditional structures. Today, Salazar’s influence is invoked not so much in relation to the authoritarian aspects of his regime but rather as a touchstone for certain principles and ideals.

Echoing a significant strand within historiography, leading intellectuals of Christian conservatism challenge reductive characterizations of Salazar as a mere symbol of so-called "eternal fascism." Instead, they regard his thought as a considered embodiment of European intellectual tradition, underscoring the enduring importance of religious spirituality as a counterbalance to materialist secularism in politics, the value of community identity rooted in historical continuity as opposed to fragmented individualism, and a resolute defense of Western civilization against the tides of deconstruction.

Today, Salazar’s reflections continue to offer a valuable framework for those who, undeterred by anachronistic interpretations, seek to engage with and critique the dominant liberal paradigm in a substantive and reflective manner. —Riccardo Marchi, Researcher, Center for International Studies - ISCTE-IUL (Lisbon)