Behind the Bastards: Part Two – Antonio Salazar: The Smartest Fascist Dictator

Behind the Bastards, a podcast by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts, ventures deep into the lives and regimes of history’s most notorious figures. In Part Two, titled “Antonio Salazar: The Smartest Fascist Dictator”, hosts Robert Evans, Jeff May, and Sophie From Mars dissect the complex legacy of Portugal’s long-standing dictator, Antonio de Oliveira Salazar. Released on July 17, 2025, this episode provides a comprehensive examination of Salazar's rise to power, his governance strategies, his manipulation of Portugal’s colonial empire, and his interactions with other global powers during and after World War II.

Introduction to Antonio Salazar

The episode kicks off with the hosts acknowledging returning listeners and teasing the ongoing series about Salazar. Despite the intro banter, the core focus quickly shifts to Salazar’s political maneuvers and authoritarian strategies.

Robert Evans (00:35): “Salazar's first actions after coming to power are all focused on returning some sort of financial stability to Portugal.”

Economic Stabilization and Austerity Measures

Upon assuming power, Salazar prioritized stabilizing Portugal’s faltering economy. His austerity measures, though harsh, aimed to halt economic volatility, ensuring predictable investments for the wealthy and preventing drastic economic downturns.

Robert Evans (05:02): “Salazar’s first actions after coming to power are all focused on returning some sort of financial stability to Portugal. The economy stops cycling where there are deep trials and recoveries; it kind of stays on an even keel.”

However, these measures had a dire impact on the poorer and peasant classes, revealing the non-populist nature of his regime.

Sophie From Mars (06:00): “Despite a lot of sympathies between him and Hitler, this is not a populist movement.”

Salazar vs. Other Fascist Leaders

Salazar’s approach to dictatorship was notably different from contemporaries like Hitler and Mussolini. While Salazar maintained direct control over economic policies, he shunned the grandiose public displays and cult of personality that characterized other fascist leaders.

Robert Evans (10:17): “Few of the 20th century's authoritarians exercised more direct control over their national economy or government policy than Antonio Salazar.”

This distinction made his regime appear less overtly fascist, leading some international observers to mistakenly view Portugal as a dictatorship without a dictator.

Robert Evans (10:55): “He is a dictator without a cult of personality.”

Alliances and Neutrality During WWII

Salazar adeptly balanced alliances during WWII, supporting Franco’s Nationalists in Spain while maintaining a strategic neutrality that kept Portugal out of the direct conflict. His collaboration with Britain was pivotal in keeping Franco from fully aligning with the Axis powers.

Robert Evans (25:02): “The British are really leaning on him to help keep Franco out of the war.”

This delicate balancing act earned Salazar discreet appreciation from Winston Churchill, including a written letter of thanks, an honorary degree from Oxford, and the upgrading of the British ambassador to Portugal.

Post-War Policies and Lusotropicalism

After WWII, Salazar embraced Lusotropicalism, a theory suggesting that Portuguese colonialism was inherently benign and racially inclusive. This ideology was used to justify the continued exploitation and control of Portugal’s African colonies.

Robert Evans (60:19): “Lusotropicalism became the defining ideology of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar's pseudo-fascist regime in Portugal following the Second World War.”

Contrary to these claims, Portugal's colonial practices involved severe exploitation, forced labor, and systemic racism, mirroring the oppressive tactics of other colonial powers.

Robert Evans (61:51): “Portuguese colonialism is very different. It is based on mass resource extraction and forced labor.”

Repression and Torture Tactics

Salazar's regime was notorious for its brutal repression, managed by the secret police (PIDE). The podcast details the horrific methods employed to suppress dissent, including physical and psychological torture.

Robert Evans (75:48): “Maria Matos was arrested for activities against the security of the state. She was stripped naked and beaten by male and female agents. By the third day of torture, without sleeping, she began to have hallucinations.”

Salazar further entrenched his oppressive regime by collaborating with the CIA in the 1950s, enhancing PIDE’s interrogation techniques.

Robert Evans (40:54): “In 1957 we send the CIA to Portugal to help train his secret police.”

Maintenance of the Colonial Empire and Its Collapse

Portugal’s expansive but costly colonial empire, including territories in Africa and India like Angola, Mozambique, and Goa, became increasingly untenable. By the early 1960s, nearly half of Portugal’s annual budget was dedicated to maintaining these colonies, leading to economic strain and growing resistance movements.

Robert Evans (53:47): “The cost of repressing these constant movements for independence had grown precipitously.”

Salazar’s rigid stance led to continuous conflicts and international pressure, culminating in the loss of territories and widespread unrest.

Robert Evans (66:30): “In 1961, that's the most disastrous year for Salazar's dictatorship since its founding.”

Decline and Death of Salazar

Salazar’s declining health in 1968, marked by a cerebral hemorrhage, left the regime vulnerable. Despite his incapacitation, subordinates maintained a façade of his continued control until his death in 1970. This period saw intensified repression and systemic instability.

Robert Evans (77:09): “He lives out his days, but he believes he's running the country because they're just pretending.”

The Carnation Revolution

The culmination of Salazar’s oppressive policies and the unsustainable colonial wars led to the Carnation Revolution in April 1974. This mostly peaceful uprising overthrew the Estado Novo regime, restoring democracy to Portugal.

Robert Evans (83:24): “In April of 1974, they launched the mostly peaceful Carnation Revolution, which overthrows the regime and returns democracy to Portugal.”

Conclusion: The Legacy of Salazar

Antonio Salazar’s dictatorship was marked by a paradoxical blend of economic stability and ruthless repression. His meticulous financial policies and strategic neutrality during WWII garnered international favor, yet his obsessive maintenance of a declining colonial empire and brutal suppression of dissent ultimately led to his downfall. Salazar remains a complex figure: technically astute and authoritarian, yet morally reprehensible.

Robert Evans (80:51): “He’s kind of a dick. Not a nice man.”

Notable Quotes with Attribution and Timestamps

• Robert Evans (05:02): “Salazar’s first actions after coming to power are all focused on returning some sort of financial stability to Portugal.”

• Sophie From Mars (06:00): “Despite a lot of sympathies between him and Hitler, this is not a populist movement.”

• Robert Evans (25:02): “The British are really leaning on him to help keep Franco out of the war.”

• Robert Evans (60:19): “Lusotropicalism became the defining ideology of Antonio de Oliveira Salazar's pseudo-fascist regime in Portugal following the Second World War.”

• Robert Evans (75:48): “Maria Matos was arrested for activities against the security of the state. She was stripped naked and beaten by male and female agents. By the third day of torture, without sleeping, she began to have hallucinations.”

• Robert Evans (40:54): “In 1957 we send the CIA to Portugal to help train his secret police.”

• Robert Evans (53:47): “The cost of repressing these constant movements for independence had grown precipitously.”

• Robert Evans (66:30): “In 1961, that's the most disastrous year for Salazar's dictatorship since its founding.”

• Robert Evans (77:09): “He lives out his days, but he believes he's running the country because they're just pretending.”

• Robert Evans (83:24): “In April of 1974, they launched the mostly peaceful Carnation Revolution, which overthrows the regime and returns democracy to Portugal.”

• Robert Evans (80:51): “He’s kind of a dick. Not a nice man.”

Insights and Conclusions

Antonio Salazar's regime exemplifies the complexities of authoritarian governance. His ability to stabilize Portugal's economy through strict austerity measures earned him support among the elite, yet his oppressive tactics and unsustainable colonial ambitions sowed the seeds of his eventual downfall. Salazar’s strategic neutrality during WWII and collaboration with both Axis powers and the Allies highlight his pragmatic, albeit morally corrupt, approach to power. The collapse of his dictatorship through the Carnation Revolution underscores the inherent instability of regimes built on repression and exploitation.

By dissecting Salazar's policies and their ramifications, Behind the Bastards offers a nuanced view of a dictator who, while effective in certain administrative aspects, remains a cautionary tale of the destructive potential of unchecked authoritarianism.