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When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first
thing to be bought and sold are legislators. -- P J O'Rourke

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What is Corporatism?

fascism (fâsh'iz'em) n.

A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, typically through the merging of state and business leadership, together with belligerent nationalism. [Ital. fascio, group.] -fas'cist n. -fas-cis'tic (fa-shis'tik) adj.

Fundamentally, corporatism is a new name for an old face - that of fascism. Most dictionary definitions you'll find nowadays exclude the "typically through the merging of state and business leadership" theme, whereas previously they might've.

The Italians, who invented the term Fascism, also called it the Estato Corporativo: the corporatist state. GeorgeOrwell described it as an extension of Capitalism.

Symptoms of Corporatism

Root Causes of Corporatism

At the root of the issue is the lust for power and money, and the insufficient checks and balances in a society to prevent the abuse of this power. Government is all about power - it sets the course for an entire country and its people. A government is responsible for its people, and with a democracy the people have a say in who their government is. Governments use their power to obtain money in the support of their country, usually in the form of taxes.

Corporations, on the other hand, are all about money, and some are very successful in this regard. A corporation only has to answer to its shareholders, and its only purpose is to make money for them. The problem is that through the use of money, power can be gained. With enough money corporations can influence Government policy and lawmaking to ends that benefit them, and often don't benefit society at large.

Quotes

"Natürlich will das Volk keinen Krieg. Das ist verstanden. Aber es ist immer ganz leicht, das Volk mit sich zu ziehen, ob das nun eine Demokratie tut oder eine faschistische Diktatur, ein Parlament oder eine kommunistische Diktatur. Abstimmung hin oder her, das Volk kann immer dazu gebracht werden, dem Geheiß des Führers zu folgen. Das ist einfach. Man braucht nur zu sagen, daß sie angegriffen werden und den Pazifisten einen Mangel an Patriotismus vorzuwerfen und, daß sie das Land einer Gefahr ausliefern. Das funktioniert in allen Ländern" -- Hermann Goering, Nazi Reichmarschall

And in english: "Of course the people don't want war. That's understandable. But it's always very easy to influence the people, whether it's currently a democracy or a fascist dictator, a parliament or a communist dictator. No matter which way, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." -- Hermann Goering, Nazi Reichmarshall

"How does one man assert his power over another, Winston? By making him suffer. Obedience is not enough. Unless he is suffering, how can you be sure that he is obeying your will and not his own? Power is in inflicting pain and humiliation... Progress in our world will be progress towards more pain." -- George Orwell

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HOME | RECENT CHANGES | SEARCH | HELP | ABOUT (last edited 2006-08-01 18:24:26 by RobertThomson)