1. A political or economic system in which power is held by large organized groups such as businesses, labor unions, or professional associations, rather than by individuals or the state alone.
Usage: Often used in political science and economics; Can refer to both democratic and authoritarian systems
2. An authoritarian system, especially in fascist regimes, in which the state organizes society into corporate groups (guilds, unions, professional bodies) that represent different economic interests.
Usage: Historical; associated with fascism and totalitarianism

Examples

• Some scholars argue that modern democracies exhibit elements of corporativism when large corporations influence government policy.
• The fascist regimes of the 1930s promoted corporativism as an alternative to both capitalism and communism.
• Labor unions and business associations play a central role in corporativism by negotiating directly with the state.
• Critics contend that corporativism can undermine individual rights and democratic participation.
• Scandinavian countries are sometimes cited as examples of democratic corporativism, where organized groups cooperate with government.
• The rise of corporativism in the early 20th century reflected growing power of organized economic interests.