O corporativismo dualista: Conselhos profissionais e sindicatos no Brasil, 1930-1964

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore one dimension of corporatism related to middle class in Brazil from the perspective of the dual nature of representation entities. Differently from the situation of the industrial business sector and urban workers, middle class representation in the State was shared by professional associations and unions. In the case of the lawyers, that are the main topic of my study, the relationship between the professional bar and unions was especially conflicted. The competition of representation imposed by unions lead the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB, acronym in Portuguese for Ordem dos Advogados do Brazil) to take a union like agenda. If we consider the middle class political and ideological differentiation process, the existence of two corporate entities made representation more legitimate. The Executive branch, though challenged, avoided the establishment of a representation monopoly for the middle class and especially for lawyers. The study of activities carried out by the Brazilian Bar Association and lawyer’s unions suggests middle class corporatism is closer to a society than a state modality.