Scary Mussolini quote: 'Fascism should ... be called corporatism'

[joefree1]

"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power."
- Benito Mussolini

I found this while searching for examples of Fascism in America on the Internet. I've notice an upsurge of intolerance since 9/11 that we ought to be watching carefully. I've just uploaded the following recent events as examples:

Nevada Democrats are decrying remarks by U.S. Rep. Jim Gibbons condemning "tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippie, tie-dyed liberals" for their opposition to the war in Iraq.
He added it was "too damn bad we didn't buy them a ticket" to become human shields in Iraq.
For more got here:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2005/mar/02/030210032.html

Several instructors targeted by student's posting of red stars, state code on teaching of communism
Wednesday, March 2, 2005
Santa Rosa Junior College's oak-studded campus is aflame with controversy triggered by the anonymous posting of red stars and a reference to communist indoctrination on 10 faculty office doors.
edit ...
When faculty members called a news conference to discuss the stars, McPherson came forward to acknowledge her action on behalf of the SRJC Republicans, a 75-member chapter of the California College Republicans, a statewide group.
For more got here:
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050302/NEWS/503020303/1033/NEWS01

If you have any other examples in recent American history post them here so I can upload to the following page. I looking for examples of fascist acts by organizations or members of government as opposed to individual acts.
http://ediablo.com/FightFascism.html

[Zuni]

1. you do not understand Mussolini's definition of corporatism

One of the features of his government was the corporate council, which had representatives of all of Italy's classes on it, from farmers and labor unions to fat cat tycoons and military officers. they planned the economy---it was part of Mussolini's national unity thing.

But then again, mussolini's definition of fascism changed all the time. he also said "I am fascism".

I think too many people put way to much into Mussolini's quote. It was one of his many definitions.

[joefree1]

3. Ah, you know what Mussolini was thinking?

... and what I am thinking?

I'm just noting that it's scary and prophetic that Musolini juxtaposed Fascism with Corporatism. Especially with today's headlines.
:scared:

on edit: he did say "merger of state and corporate power"

[Zuni]

6. But it simply was not the same

The Corporate Council and 'Corporatism' did not mean individual businesses, or publicly traded companies.
The corporations on the council were like lobbys for their different interests. There were representatives for farmers, trade unions, bankers, factory owners, merchants---it was an attempt to create national unity and eliminate class warfare.

[HereSince1628]

2. Are you quite sure that he meant corporatism as in corporation?

I am not so sure.

Mussolini also said the State was the most important entity. Citizens were only important in as much as they were folded in to the State.

I suspect he had a similar opinion of industry and corporations.

I am quite certain that today's corporations have vanishing little or no interest in the state. Today's corporate officers see their interest as building value on behalf of their investor shareholders.

[joefree1]

4. With all the talk of Enron, Diebold, Halliburton and Fox News?

:shrug:

[Zuni]

5. exactly

In Fascism, everything is subordinate to the state and the state is ultimately the dictator itself.

Private enterprrise was expected to comply with the state. In Germany, Hitler allowed industrialists to profit as long as they made sure their interests did not come in the way of the Nazis.

If they did, their factories were nationalized and taken over by the state.

[joefree1]

7. Semantics and history

Certain multi-national companies like the ones I mentioned before are cooperating (whoops, there's that word) to promote a dictatorship by a group of people by repressing other people.

Mussolini used the word "merger." Either this was translated wrong or he was disingenuous in saying this.

Whether it fits your narrow definition of "fascism" or "corporatism" won't matter much if or when it happens.

[joefree1]

8. From my MS Word Dictionary

cor·po·rat·ism or cor·po·ra·tiv·ism n
a system of running a state using the power of organizations like businesses and trade unions that act, or purport to act, for large numbers of individuals

I'm not discussing the concept of a business corporation (I work for one) but rather the above concept of corporations that conspire to dictate Government policy.

[joefree1]

9. From Senator Byrd

Byrd cited Hitler's 1930s rise to power by, in part, pushing legislation through the German parliament that seemed to legitimize his ascension.

``We, unlike Nazi Germany or Mussolini's Italy, have never stopped being a nation of laws, not of men,'' Byrd said. ``But witness how men with motives and a majority can manipulate law to cruel and unjust ends.''

Byrd then quoted historian Alan Bullock, saying Hitler ``turned the law inside out and made illegality legal.''

Byrd added, ``That is what the 'nuclear option' seeks to do.''

The nuclear option is the nickname for the proposal to end filibusters of judicial nominations because of the devastating effect the plan, if enacted, would have on relations between Democrats and Republicans.
more ...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-4838025,00.html

[joefree1]

10. Reconstructed Fascism

By Rev. Rich Lang
The Imperial Presidency
edit ...
Reconstructed Fascism
First and most basic is that Dominion Theology wants to replace democracy with a theocratic elite that would govern according to a very literal and peculiar interpretation of Biblical law. The disciples of Jesus are to have "dominion" over all of creation. It is the role of the Church to rule over the wicked and bring them into the obedience of faith.

In a "reconstructed society" democracy would be heresy. The division between sacred and secular would be abolished. A new insistence on conformity to moral rules would replace the pluralism we now know. The purpose of the Federal government would be to enforce morality through military and police functions. Society would be regulated by a theocratic elite: in the words of Pat Robertson: "just as the Supreme Court justices place a hand on the Bible and swear to uphold the Constitution, so they should also put a hand on the Constitution and swear to uphold the Bible."

We see this at play in the leanings of Supreme Court Justices Scalia and Thomas. Against the common assumption that we are a secular state Mr. Scalia has said (in a FIRST THINGS: May 2002 ) "government ... derives its moral authority from God. Government is the minister of God with powers to revenge, to execute wrath, including wrath by the sword."
Rev. Rich Lang is pastor of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Seattle, Washington
more ...
http://www.smirkingchimp.com/print.php?sid=15261