Pozdní portugalský kolonialismus a Freyreho lusotropicalismo
Late Portuguese Colonialism and Freyre's Lusotropicalismo

Summary/Abstract: Whereas at the beginning of his career Brazilian anthropologist and sociologist Gilberto Freyre researched into his fatherland's cultural identity, later his thought got markedly cosmopolitan features. It was especially in the context of post-World War II world when Freyre's ideas resounded. Even though initially disregarded, forceful impact of decolonization made him visible – particularly his theory of Lusotropicalism – to Salazarist political and intellectual elites for his thought could provide them with longed-for and highly uselful legitimizing myth. Thus, in Portugal Freyre's scientific theory got rapidly politicized, became part of Salazarist mythology and valuable ally in the search of the new place in the decolonized world. Freyre's theses about specific, i.e. not typically European and not ethnocentric, character of Portuguese colonization became part Salazar's official speeches and interviews and was frequently reminded by both Salazarist authorities and anti-Salazarist opposition. Thus, originally scientific and foreign concept was skillfully exploited in international politics and propaganda.

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