Castilhism

Castilhism was the political current established by Júlio de Castilhos with the creation of the Rio Grande do Sul Constitution of 1891. It was the guiding principle of the Estado Novo, Getúlio Vargas' dictatorial period. It is the ideology behind the Brazilian labour movement, which elevated Castilhism to national importance. Castilhism's characteristics were: the centralization of powers in the Executive, the implementation of mechanisms for direct participation, such as plebiscites, the establishment of a modernizing, interventionist and regulating state in the economy, as well as its intermediary and moralizing role in society. According to Rodriguez, "while for liberal philosophy the public good resulted from preserving the interests of individuals, which basically included private property and freedom of exchange, as well as the so-called civil liberties, for Castilhos the public good surpassed the limits of the material interests of individuals to become impersonal and spiritual. The public good is achieved in a society that is formalized by a strong state that imposes individual disinterest for the benefit of the well-being of the community". At this moment, self-interest is pure and simple immorality.