The precarious foundations: economics and politics in the essay “À margem do Segundo Reinado”, by Vicente Licínio Cardoso

Abstract

The aim of this article is to provide an analysis of the essay "À margem do Segundo Reinado", written by Vicente Licínio Cardoso (1890-1931). This essay, published in December 1925, in the context of the celebration of the birth centenary of D. Pedro II, presents an overview of the Second Empire, whose theoretical focus is aimed mainly on economic and political issues. The analytical effort made by Vicente Licínio Cardoso, in a tradition that dates back to Euclides da Cunha, is that of the interpreter who works apart of the established thinking, formulating from this perspective a critical and purposeful reflection permeated by the dilemmas of his time. Along the article, in order to problematize the concept of "margin", parallels were established with the ideas of another thinker of the time, Oliveira Vianna, what allows us to identify interpretative proximities and differences.