Corporatism

Corporatism is a political, economic and social view that emphasizes the individual's belonging to socially, economically, professionally, ethnically, nationally or in some other way defined social group - a "corporation" - in which common interests should form the basis for decisions on various issues (akin to ). This ideology functions similarly to structural functionalism in sociology, where norms, customs, and institutions are considered to have specific functions that make society, the larger whole, function in a certain way. That is, corporatism views the society being the human body, which has these various social groups/corporations to act as its organs. Or to put in another way, Corporatism is about the "power of .Encyclopedia Britannica - corporatism ideologyWiarda, H. J. (2016). Corporatism and Comparative Politics: The Other Great "Ism". Taylor & Francis. Kjaer, P. F. (2010). Between Governing and Governance: On the Emergence, Function and Form of Europe's Post-National Constellation. Bloomsbury Publishing. Encyclopedia of Democratic Thought. (2003). Taylor & Francis. . Page 114
Although corporatism comes in many flavors, historically corporatist rule has been primarily advocated by fascist movements, as well as by a number of conservative thinkers. This is due to their ideological opposition to both and egalitarianism - which they primarily associate with liberalism and socialism - instead emphasizing difference, symbiosis, and consensus through mutual dependence.Micocci, A. (2012). Moderation and Revolution. Lexington Books. Page 194 It also has, in a more pronounced economic sense, common expressions with reformist socialism.Corporatism and Fascism: The Corporatist Wave in Europe. (2017). Taylor & Francis. . Page 113Del Roio, M. (2015). The Prisms of Gramsci: The Political Formula of the United Front. Brill. . Page 180
==History==
The doctrine of corporatism has its roots in the trade guilds of the Middle Ages (i.e. ), where people of the same profession grouped themselves together, negotiated strict rules that would apply to all corporate members, and then sought recognition as a legitimate trade organisation by the crown. These guilds tended to be very conservative, favoring traditionalism and economical stability over technological and economic development -- latter which they saw as threat to their way of life. The guilds had a hierarchical structure, but the members often had organic ties to each other, working closely together. They regulated prices and production to suit the needs of society, being largely independent from the crown, even to the degree of protecting their corporate members from the crown. These guilds were gradually abolished before the advent of capitalism and economic liberalism, with their oblivion further accelerated by technological advancement, free trade and competition. 
The idea of corporatism resurfaced gradually in far-right circles when syndicates became legalised in most western countries at the end of the 19th century. The idea is that worker syndicates and employer syndicates belonging to the same profession are grouped together into a trade corporation/organisation. 1891 encyclical titled "Rerum Novarum" is considered to have established the platform for corporatism in its opposition to both laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, with it's instructions to counter those two ideas by finding the "third way".Corporatism and Fascism: The Corporatist Wave in Europe. (2017). Part I, Chapter 2: "Corporatism and political Catholicism". Taylor & Francis. Encyclopedia of Politics: The Left and the Right (Volume I). (2005). SAGE Publications. . Pages 601-602. German Romantic philosophers in the 19th century - such as - considered corporatism to be a good way to remedy the "social rootlessness" that was caused by industrialization and class conflicts.Staude, J. R. (1965). Max Scheler: Philosopher, Sociologist, and Critic of German Culture (1912-1928). University of California. Page 284
The spin towards a more fascistic direction to crystalize prior to World War I, through the contributions of Italian nationalist ideologues, such as , , and . They believed that the creation of organizations would lead Italy out of the long period of economic instability and wars, which would strengthen the country's expansionist pressure against external enemies. Another source of ideas was revolutionary syndicalism, coming from pre-war fascists such as . By their logic, World War I proved that the war effort was supported by the cooperation of business, the army and the government - with syndical trade being tightly controlled - and therefore nationalism can be characterized as a form of enterprise. Fascism would eventually emerge through combination of Corporatism and Syndicalism, bringing back the mentality of the guilds into the 20th century.
It was applied in modern times in most fascist states, but far from being independent or serving as counter-weight to the state, these trade organisations became largely directed by the state. Corporatists often argue that there was much more security and stability in these trade guilds before the advent of economic liberalism, which led to the creation of the proletariat during the 19th century.
==Misconceptions about Corporatism==
First of all, Corporatism ≠ ; latter being correct term for "rule by business corporations and/or corporate interests". Corporatism is derived Latin corpus, corporis ('body'), while Corporatocracy is combination of "corporate" and Greek kratía (lit. "domination by"). Regardless, corporatism is frequently - and possibly deliberately - misidentified as "rule by companies" to 'prove' that all modern governments are fascist, ergo Bush did 9/11 or whatever other nonsense they're peddling.
==Types of corporatism==
===Fascist corporatism===
Corporatism is often associated with Italian fascism. In that meaning, Corporatism is the union of representatives of labor/trade unions, the government, and companies with the goal of creating a unified industrial policy which works towards the best interests of labor, management, and the government (in theory, the government represents society as a whole). In practice, the exact opposite occurred, with the government strong-arming labor into doing whatever the companies want, closing down independent unions and replacing them with state-run ones that were toothless.
===Social corporatism===
 has sometimes been used to describe social democratic economic models, where both private property and labour interests are protected. While this has been used by some libertarians and communists, including Stalin, as "proof" that liberals are actually "deep cover fascists" (the communists under their theory of ), it doesn't explain why Angela Merkel hasn't worn a toothbrush moustache, suspended the Bundestag, and bombed Greece yet. One famous example is which has divided Argentinian politics ever since World War II ended.
==Issues==
From a economic POV, Corporatism's major flaw is that it stifles innovation, is less productive and otherwise lacking in flexibility compared to free-market capitalism.
==Instances==
* "National Corporatism", Italy, 1922-1945, Benito Mussolini
* "Country, Religion, Monarchy", Spain, 1923-1930, Miguel Primo de Rivera
* "National Socialism", Germany, 1933-1945, Adolf Hitler
* "National Syndicalism", Spain, 1936-1973, Francisco Franco
* "New State", Portugal, 1932-1968, Antonio Salazar
* "New State", Brazil, 1933-1945, Getulio Vargas
* "New Deal", United States, 1933-1945, Franklin Roosevelt
* "Third Hellenic Civilization", Greece, 1936-1941, Ioannis Metaxas
* "Justicialist Party", Argentina, 1943-1955, Juan Perón"The Economic System of Corporatism"
==References==
Category:Economic philosophies
Category:Political philosophies
Category:Fascism