korporativism

Korporativism, or corporate governance of society, is a political and economic doctrine that seeks to organize society around formalized interest groups—such as employers’ associations, labor unions, and professional bodies—that are incorporated into the policy-making process through the state. The objective is to coordinate economic activity, mediate conflicts between classes, and align social interests with national objectives. The concept can describe both state-led schemes and negotiated social partnerships within constitutional frameworks.

In its authoritarian form, corporativism designates official bodies to represent entire sectors and gives them control over wage setting, production, and other policy areas, often at the expense of broader political pluralism. The fascist Italian regime’s “corporate state” is a frequently cited example. In democratic contexts, corporatism refers to tripartite or multi-stakeholder arrangements in which government, employers, and labor groups participate in policy formulation, wage bargaining, and social welfare design through formal channels. Nordic and some Central European welfare systems are commonly described as exhibiting democratic corporatist features, though the exact balance and autonomy of actors vary.

Critics contend that corporatism can suppress dissent, entrench elites, and limit pluralistic politics, while supporters argue it can reduce conflict and improve policy coordination when actors are independent, legally constrained, and subject to accountability. The term is used across different historical and regional contexts, and its meaning ranges from authoritarian state control to voluntary, pluralist collaboration.