Regarding the genesis of the corporate state, a fairly stable stereotype has formed in society. And, as a rule, the formation of this model of social structure is firmly associated with the time of fascist-dictatorial regimes. Countries such as Spain, Italy and Nazi Germany are considered to be the historical cradle of this phenomenon, although this is not entirely true. The corporate state has a difficult history both in the socio-political view and in the significant practice of mankind.
Definition of the term
From the beginning of time, due to different types of activities and living standards, people were constantly divided into professional and social groups. Analyzing this phenomenon, Plato hypothesized that if the government of the country is entrusted to these groups, then the decisions made will no longer be determined by the interests of individuals, but by the needs of all classes, as a result of which any differences between the private and the general will be exhausted. In his famous work “The State,” the philosopher embodied the idea of corporatism by designing a model of social structure on its principle.
According to most dictionaries, the term "Corporate State" is used to define a form of state authoritarian regime in which executive bodies are formed from the main representatives of professional corporations allocated by the government. The list of such corporations covers trade unions, various human rights organizations, business unions, religious communities and other large associations. At the same time, the state sets rather stringent requirements for issuing licenses to such organizations, thereby controlling their number and activity. It is interesting to note that in the "corporate" states that have been noted in history, the regime of the "leader" was established in all without exception.
The origins of corporatism
One of the first to speak of corporations was the German thinkers of the eighteenth century. In their convictions, they carefully argued that order in society should be built only on corporate foundations. For I.G. Fichte (1762-1814), on top of such a social structure, saw the state taking responsibility for the reasonable distribution of obligations, rights and income among citizens.
Corporate ideas were widely developed in the works of G. Hegel (1770-1831), where he first began to use the term "Corporation". According to the philosopher, it is only with the help of this institution that it is possible to implement group and private interests. A little earlier corporate views were covered in their publications by T. Hobbes, J. Locke and J.Zh. Russo. They managed to justify the existence of political institutions and to prove the need for coordinated coordination of state and public interests.
Christian concept
The Roman Catholic Church had a huge impact on the formation of the corporate model of the state, proposing it as a solution to individualism and the class struggle. In his 1891 speech, Pope Leo XIII emphasized the mutual dependence between all divisions of society and encouraged class aiding to regulate conflicts.
A little earlier, his contribution to the formation of a new concept distinguished German politician, theologian and Bishop V. von Ketteler. He paid attention to the study of the social status of social groups, especially the working class. Ketteler proposed class-based democracy instead of liberal democracy, which will become the basis of social well-being and stability. In his doctrine, the core of democracy is the corporate system that can prevent class divisions and problems, with it all groups will be involved in public and political life, and each individual, being connected to work in the corporation, will be happy about his social and political rights.
Corporate State: Dougie Doctrine
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the ideas of solidarity gained considerable popularity in Europe, and at the same time had their own distinctive features in each state. French lawyer Leon Dugues (1859-1928) developed a theory of social solidarity, where the basic message was the idea of dividing society into classes, each of which has its purpose and function to ensure social harmony. Dougie believed that the corporate state would be a worthy change in the public power of the state, where class collaboration would help overcome negative social manifestations. According to the theory, the concept of corporations (syndicates) was introduced, with the help of which the relationship of labor and capital would be realized.
In Russia, Dugi's views received a positive response among such prominent jurists as M.M. Kovalevsky and P.I. Novgorodtsev. Some Soviet lawyers of 1918-1920, sympathetically referred to the idea of "class functions", were among them the master of law A.G. Goichbarg.
Fiume Republic: First Attempt
In 1919, the port city of Fiume, led by the poet Gabriele D'Annunzio, proclaimed the world its sovereignty and made the first attempt to establish a corporate state. In reality, this was the dispensation of fascist rule with all its specific manifestations: warlike slogans and songs, mass processions in black shirts, peculiar ancient Roman salutations, daily speeches of the leader. The Italian adventurer and cuticle seriously undertook to conduct an experiment to build totalitarianism in a single locality.
The basis of the new state was the Italian guild system, which successfully existed in the Middle Ages. The entire Fiume population was divided on a professional basis into ten corporations that represented certain classes of society and had legal status. For a citizen of the Republic, membership in one of them, depending on the occupation, was mandatory. It is curious that the leading corporation, in accordance with the constitution, was represented by the "supermen", to whom D'Annunzio and his entourage belonged. Later, the experience of Fiume was used by Benito Mussolini during the formation of the Nazi doctrine.
Fascist model
In the classical sense, the essence of the corporate state is the concept according to which all relations between labor and capital are coordinated by the state through professional-industrial corporations, and parliament is represented by corporate council. They tried to implement this idea with particular care in the life of the country with the fascist regime.
In the 1920s, in Italy under the dictatorial rule of Mussolini, independent trade union organizations were replaced by syndicates under government control. Syndicates gathered in corporations and, having received certain powers from state bodies, worked out decisions for the regulation of production and labor relations. In 1939, the "House of Fascias and Corporations" took the place of the Italian parliament, consisting of the leadership of the fascist party, ministers and members of the corporate council.
Another striking example of a corporate state in a fascist format is Portugal under the regime of Antonio di Salazar (1932-1968). By setting a ban on the work of trade union organizations, Salazar tried to reduce social tension by uniting workers and employers in the context of a corporate mechanism. In each type of economic and cultural activity, only one professional association was allowed, the lower level of the established board.
The concept of corporate government was most fully implemented in Spain under the rule of Francisco Franco (1939-1975).
Corporate Social State
In the following years, the syndicalism of L. Dugi, or rather its fruits, began to be seen as a form of democracy. The key role in ensuring the interests of all social groups in society was assigned to united professional organizations, public unions and the state.
The corporate model of the social state implies a system of obligations and responsibilities of corporations (companies) for the material well-being of their employees, where social insurance is the basis. Funded primarily by contributions, insurance services may vary by professional group. All employees are provided with mandatory social guarantees, including retirement benefits, paid leave, medical supervision and partial payment for medical services, additional benefits and so on.
In this model of the state, the three most important corporate groups are assumed to be: the state, trade unions, and the business community. It is between these groups that the main power blocks are distributed that determine the structure and form of the political structure of the social state. Laws and economic guarantees are provided by the state, but it is not their executor. This model is typical for countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Belgium and Austria.
Conclusion
For a long time, a correct understanding of the corporate state due to the verbal balancing act of all its supporters and opponents was difficult. The society showed an ambiguous attitude to this phenomenon, and sometimes it was negative. However, if we look at the origins of the concept itself, it did not imply any oppression or injustice, overcoming class hostility should have been achieved through the correct distribution of rights and duties. The state should ensure its citizens equality before the letter of the law and equal opportunities, while further inequality will no longer be based on privileges associated with origin, but on individual qualities of the person and work.