Portuguese historiographic renewal in the work of Rui Ramos.

Abstract

This article presents and assesses the work of the Portuguese historian, Rui Ramos, considering it to be a major contribution to European historiography. This article evaluates this author’s methodological approaches and his revindication of narrative and political history, situating it in the context of the debates within new history. It then goes into further depth about the keys to interpretation that Rui Ramos proposed to understand the contemporary history of Portugal, comparing them with elements of Spanish history. Like the work of the author in question, this re-interpretation is above all focussed on the crisis of the constitutional monarchy (1890-1910) and the political life of the first republic (1910-1926), paying special attention to the problems of reconciling liberalism and democracy. Finally, it underlines the coherence that Rui Ramos’ analytical perspective provides when analysing politics in Portugal during its transition to democracy.