Call for Papers

50+1 — The Portuguese Revolution of 1974: Where Are We Now?

Deadline for submissions of articles: 5 September

We are pleased to announce a call for papers for a special section in the next issue of Themis—the NOVA School of Law’s academic journal—dedicated to examining the enduring impact of the Portuguese Revolution of 1974, as well as those of its promises that remain unfulfilled, especially in the legal domain.

Scope and purpose 

The revolution marked the end of over 40 years of authoritarian rule, transforming Portugal’s political landscape. It initiated legal reforms that continue to shape the country’s commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The year of 2024 was rightly dedicated to commemorating its 50th anniversary. But we must also look to our collective future.

As we reflect on the past five decades of democracy in Portugal, we recognize the remarkable journey that brought us from dictatorship to democratic governance. The revolution laid the groundwork for a modern constitutional framework that emphasizes constitutional rights and civil liberties. The evolution of Portuguese law since then has been marked by such commitments. Many challenges remain, however including that of continuing to safeguard such rights and liberties in an era of increasing populism and legal uncertainty.

We invite researchers and practitioners, from law and other related fields (including sociology and socio-legal studies, political science, and philosophy) to contribute to this discussion about the 1974 revolution, its legacy, and what especially what lies ahead.

We invite submissions focusing on various topics related to the Portuguese revolution and its legal aftermath, including, but not limited to:

  1. The establishment, evolution, and future of constitutional law in post-revolutionary Portugal.
  2. Further legal reforms needed to enhance the protection of human rights and civil liberties.
  3. Diversity and inclusion, and discrimination in its various forms.
  4. The status and protection afforded to immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers in Portugal.
  5. The right to health and the provision of health care.
  6. Housing and the current housing crisis.
  7. The right to education, and challenges to the education system.
  8. Legal aid and access to justice.
  9. Judicial impartiality and independence, and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding democracy.
  10. The impact of the 1974 revolution on public governance and administrative law.
  11. The relationship between the legal professions and civil society in promoting democratic principles.
  12. Comparative analyses of Portuguese legal transformations with those of other post-authoritarian nations.
  13. The influence of EU law and international law on domestic legal reforms.

We encourage submissions from a range of perspectives and methodologies. Manuscripts should be original and unpublished, and no longer than 10,000 words including footnotes.

Submissions can be in Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, or Italian.

The deadline for submissions is 5 September 2025. All submissions will be subject to double-blind peer-review. Accepted papers will be asked to conform to the required format of our journal.

Please submit your manuscripts, as well as any inquiries, to direcaothemis@novalaw.unl.pt.

Join us in reflecting on the impact and the future of the revolutionary ideas that reshaped Portugal. We look forward to your contributions.