Warning: this piece is not intended for my usual readers, but as a message to the Portuguese administrative state, should it come to their attention, and prospective expats.
"a bureaucratic state that exists for its own sake"
This problem is not of course unique to Portugal, although the fact that it's parasitic presence is so prevalent at every layer from local, state to federal is no doubt as you explain clearly disheartening and even demoralizing.
Here in the US, I've recently come to the realization that "The Swamp" isn't just parts of the federal government, but the ENTIRE federal government that exists solely for itself and the monopolistic business interests it serves. No doubt it doesn't even realize it's evil. Like Portugal, its bureaucrats endlessly protect their turf which means spending as much taxpayer $ as possible within their departments to justify and perpetuate their existence.
Fortunately for us, further down the food chain, some municipalities actually try to facilitate growth and prosperity in their communities and there less red tape to inhibit growth and prosperity.
It should also be noted that as much as we in the West hear about the oppressiveness of China's one-party system, the fact is their politicians, who are far more likely to have engineering rather than legal backgrounds, only retain their positions if they prove they are working towards improving the lives of their constituents. Corruption is harshly dealt with, and ineffectiveness likely results in losing their post. Is it any wonder that our major cities in the US and much of the collective West are failing apart, that unlike China, infrastructure projects such as new roads, high speed rail and other technological innovations that exponentially increase economic growth are few to none?
China is showing that if the state has the people's interest instead of its own, they can direct big business rather than having oligarchs who are only interested in lining their own pockets running the show. And it's these same greedy oligarchs who are perfectly happy to retard growth by supporting inefficient status-quo bureaucracies such as those you're experiencing first-hand in Portugal as well as our infamous DC swamp.
Will definitely be forwarding this onto my parents who just got back from 6ish months abroad and Portugal being high on their list to check out living for a few years.
Well written. I hope some of those admin folks nationally see this.
"a bureaucratic state that exists for its own sake"
This problem is not of course unique to Portugal, although the fact that it's parasitic presence is so prevalent at every layer from local, state to federal is no doubt as you explain clearly disheartening and even demoralizing.
Here in the US, I've recently come to the realization that "The Swamp" isn't just parts of the federal government, but the ENTIRE federal government that exists solely for itself and the monopolistic business interests it serves. No doubt it doesn't even realize it's evil. Like Portugal, its bureaucrats endlessly protect their turf which means spending as much taxpayer $ as possible within their departments to justify and perpetuate their existence.
Fortunately for us, further down the food chain, some municipalities actually try to facilitate growth and prosperity in their communities and there less red tape to inhibit growth and prosperity.
It should also be noted that as much as we in the West hear about the oppressiveness of China's one-party system, the fact is their politicians, who are far more likely to have engineering rather than legal backgrounds, only retain their positions if they prove they are working towards improving the lives of their constituents. Corruption is harshly dealt with, and ineffectiveness likely results in losing their post. Is it any wonder that our major cities in the US and much of the collective West are failing apart, that unlike China, infrastructure projects such as new roads, high speed rail and other technological innovations that exponentially increase economic growth are few to none?
China is showing that if the state has the people's interest instead of its own, they can direct big business rather than having oligarchs who are only interested in lining their own pockets running the show. And it's these same greedy oligarchs who are perfectly happy to retard growth by supporting inefficient status-quo bureaucracies such as those you're experiencing first-hand in Portugal as well as our infamous DC swamp.
Will definitely be forwarding this onto my parents who just got back from 6ish months abroad and Portugal being high on their list to check out living for a few years.
No doubt.
Been a long time since Portugal was an imperial power. Silver lining back then may have been less bureaucratic hassle when buying property.