In the Empire’s antechamber: land right and the debate over property in the ideas of José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1819-1822)The article discusses the idea of property and land rights in the thought of José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva with the problematization and the analysis of two José Bonifácio Collection of the Brazilian Historical and Geographical Institute’s manuscripts: “O governo deriva da propriedade” and “Apontamentos sobre as sesmarias do Brasil”. These writings were produced during the Independence process and are part of its reform program for Brazil in such context. In order to do so, we evaluate themes related to the role of sesmarias and the creation of rules for their limitation; the formation of small and medium-sized rural properties; and the role played by agriculture as a source of wealth. Finally, the article contributes to the deconstruction of the Bonifácio myth of a man ahead of his time by situating the dialogue he established with the economic thought of the 18th century.
Keywords:
Property rights; Sesmarias; Independence process