No.36: System comparison: Corporatism vs Electric Technocracy
- Mike Miller
- Jun 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 7
Corporatism – The Bought Democracy:
How Economic Interests Govern Entire States
I. Definition: What is Corporatism?
Corporatism refers to a political system in which social groups—especially business and professional associations—have an institutionalized role in political decision-making. In its authoritarian form, it represents a controlled order where the state and organized interests merge.
There are distinctions:
Authoritarian Corporatism: The state controls the associations and uses them to manage society (e.g., Fascist Italy)
Liberal/Neo-Corporatism: State, employers’ associations, and trade unions negotiate jointly (e.g., in democracies with social partnerships)
II. Characteristics
Strong economic associations with direct political influence
Political decisions negotiated behind closed doors
Often formal involvement in legislative processes
Fusion of economic and political power
III. Weaknesses and Dangers
Erosion of Democratic Processes
Unelected interest representatives gain influence over political decisions—undermining the separation of powers and popular sovereignty
Obstruction of Genuine Reform
Corporative structures cement existing power relations. Necessary changes fail due to particular interests
Cronyism and Lobbyism
The line between lobbying and corporatism becomes blurred. Decisions are guided not by the common good but by the demands of powerful groups
IV. Historical Examples
System | Corporatist Characteristics |
Italy under Mussolini (1922–1943) | "Corporate state," fusion of state and economy, abolition of trade union rights |
Spain under Franco | Integration of business associations into an authoritarian regime |
EU Agricultural Lobby | Influence of strong agricultural lobbies on subsidies, often against ecological or social interests |
V. Comparison to Electronic Technocracy
Corporatism | Electronic Technocracy |
Backroom politics | Transparent decision-making |
Interest-driven governance | Evidence-based policy |
Power for the few | Participation for all |
Reform inertia | Capacity for innovation |
VI. Conclusion:
Corporatism institutionalizes inequality by granting a few interest groups privileged access to power—at the expense of democracy and the common good. Electronic Technocracy ends this era of influence through participatory intelligence, algorithmic fairness, and technological transparency.
Wikipedia Links
Deutsch
English
PoliticalWiki: Electric Technocracy
Elektrische Technokratie Podcast & Song
Links:
