Coporatism

[pluckedflowers]

I was wondering if anyone could point me to any Marxist critiques of the idea of corporatism. I see this word thrown around a lot on the "left" as if to avoid criticizing capitalism ("I'm not criticizing capitalism, just corporatism") and also on the right to pretend as though problems in the American economy aren't a result of capitalism ("America doesn't have a capitalist system, it has corporatism"). Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Commissar Rykov]

Do you mean Corporatism by the actual definition coined by Italian Fascists? Or do you mean the often uninformed corporatism thrown around by Americans about their current economic system?

[GPDP]

Do you mean Corporatism by the actual definition coined by Italian Fascists? Or do you mean the often uninformed corporatism thrown around by Americans about their current economic system?

It's the later, I'm pretty sure.

All I can say is, it is a pretty theoretically-bankrupt term thrown around to, like you said, critique society without appearing too radical or, gasp, anti-capitalist.

[Commissar Rykov]

It's the later, I'm pretty sure.

All I can say is, it is a pretty theoretically-bankrupt term thrown around to, like you said, critique society without appearing too radical or, gasp, anti-capitalist.

If so then I completely agree with your assessment. As to the TS I don't know how you could have a Marxist critique of a term that was solely created in order to criticize Capitalism by not using its proper name. As I am pretty sure Marx has already laid out a perfectly good argument on Capitalism already what is happening in America is the standard MO for Capitalism it is just the populace wants to pretend it isn't.

[Return to the Source]

Point out that "corporatism," as Bill Maher-liberals use the word, doesn't exist. It's just called "capitalism." Corporatism is a very specific style of state organization usually characteristic of fascism.

[a rebel]

One in the same if you ask me, capitalism breeds corporatism

[pluckedflowers]

Do you mean Corporatism by the actual definition coined by Italian Fascists? Or do you mean the often uninformed corporatism thrown around by Americans about their current economic system?

I did indeed mean the latter. I suspected there wasn't much depth to the concept to begin with, but I just wasn't sure whether I was missing out on some standing debate.

[Ingraham Effingham]

When capitalism controls the government, and deregulates itself to a point where a corporation has more rights than an individual person, it becomes corporatism. (see America)

[Commissar Rykov]

When capitalism controls the government, and deregulates itself to a point where a corporation has more rights than an individual person, it becomes corporatism. (see America)

That is not corporatism.

[Dunk]

This contemporary, American right-wing reactionary term is a way of claiming "We don't have capitalism, we have corporatism - if we had capitalism, everything would be swell." Except there's no way to return to the Gilded Age that these mom and pop reactionaries yearn for.

[RadioRaheem84]

Everyone in North America from Milton Friedman to Naomi Klein use that stupid corporatist word. And then they fail to correctly analyze Mussolini's quote.

[Ingraham Effingham]

That is not corporatism.

Yeah, you're right. I think the term i was looking for was "corporatocracy," if that's even a word

[Die Rote Fahne]

Corporatism (actaul meaning): a system of class "cooperation" for the good of the nation under a nationalist government. Does not believe that class struggle exists, or believes that cooperation is how to end it.

Corporatism (as liberal idiots in the US use it): capitalism in which corporations have great influence or control over government. i.e. Capitalism! Bourgeoisie are the corporations.

[Ingraham Effingham]

Corporatism (actaul meaning): a system of class "cooperation" for the good of the nation under a nationalist government. Does not believe that class struggle exists, or believes that cooperation is how to end it.

Corporatism (as liberal idiots in the US use it): capitalism in which corporations have great influence or control over government. i.e. Capitalism! Bourgeoisie are the corporations.


Ok i think get it now. I read the wiki article on "corporatism." The 'traditional' usage is not as simple of a concept as the new definition. Looks like its been simplified by main stream media and the average user, much like other -isms have been. Like any philosphy topic, semantics are everything.