Developmental Politics, Urban and Agrarian Reforms, and Eminent Domain Laws in ‘Era Vargas’ (1930-1964): Some Sociolegal Historical Considerations on the Concept and Its Reflections on Nowadays Brazilian Land Law

Abstract

The 'Era Vargas' brought a shift in Brazilian economic politics, using a developmentalist approach. Named after President Getúlio Vargas, who ruled as a dictator from 1930 to 1945 and was later elected from 1951 to 1954, the era focused on development through public enterprises, including petroleum, steel, and urban renewal. Vargas and his successors planned the Basic Reforms, encompassing labor, tax, state, administrative, urban, and agrarian reforms. However, conservative forces hindered agrarian and urban reforms, maintaining classical liberal property and eminent domain concepts. This study aims to revisit the history of these reforms, focusing on property and eminent domain, as they continue to shape contemporary land regulations and takings.