The Guildsman - Vol. 11 - Pay-trot-ism and Palriotism - Which: Democracy Versus Corporatism

Sep 21, 2026

Monthly editorial advocating a corporative order by arguing that “democracy” is abused as a pretext and that the real contrast is between capitalism/communism on one side and corporatism on the other. The piece frames World War II as a struggle where opponents allegedly seek to enthrone particular economic systems while deflecting the public toward the war-issue of “democracy versus fascism.” It further links modern industrial “true democracy” to medieval guild structures, proposing that guild-like organization and trade regulation can restore genuine civic control and liberty when adapted to modern conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

THE GUILDSMAN

Which: Democracy Versus Corporatism

True Industrial Democracy and Medieval Guilds

185 The Guildsman Devoted to the Cause of a Corporative Order Which:De DermocraE SUS Corporatism? # Pay-trot-ism and Palriotism The Predicted“Slave-World” Catholic Eulogy of “War”The“Common Man's”Prospects December,1942 0目4也Y 年争的事A1静目中肆的小少中的由fMt 申事自静中自却自000U0申中自0用411 0 0自2静5非组建由0申 000300000 CG的会一一自0000000000自0001tt001 600A自申ui0康0事000 000040005000000 ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※※ ※ ※※※※ ※ 米 ※ ※※※※*※米*※※ ※※※※※※※※ ※※ ※※※※※※※※※ ※※ ※ ※ ※ ※米※※ ※※※ ※ ※※※※※※※※ ※ISIYD UI※※ ※※ ※ ※sBUIYL IIV※※ ※※ ※ ※JOisaY* ※※※ ※※※OL※ ※ ※ ※※ ※※米※ ※ ※米 ※ ※※ ※※※※※※※※※ ※※ ※※※※米※※※※ ※※※※※※ ※※※ ※※ ※※※※ ※※※※※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※ ※※ ※ 008000100t09自000自00000000h00 # THE GUILDSMAN Published Monthly,About the 15th,at Germantown,IllinoisEdward A.Koch,Editor and,PublisherSubscription:$1.50 the Year.in Advance.Single Copy,15c Vol.XI. Which: Democracy VERSUS Corporatism 7 Or:Democracy VIA Corporatism ! The word “democracy”has been so atism,the issue in reality becomes:“De-much abused during the past few years,mocracy versus Corporatism,"that is,inas a shield or pretext for unworthytheir interpretation of “democracy';things,that one hesitates using it at all“Capitalism-Communism versus Cor-for fear that the evil connotation it hasporatism."This conclusion is quite inassumed will besmirch and frustratekeeping with certain proposals of theworthy and even decidedly necessaryLuce-sponsored“Committee of Edi-undertakings.Its true meaning,thetors”(mind well,we are not one ofthought it should convey,is,of course,those unfortunates),the gist of whichthat the people have control over theirproposals is the restoration of"unmodi-civic affairs so their destiny rests infied Capitalism”as the foundation fortheir own hands.But the“democracy”world-settlement“after an Anglo-spoken of so much in recent times doesAmerican victory."Which means thatnot mean that,is not supposed to meanthe defeat of"Fascism"or Corporatismthat—even though the thoughtless pub-is sought,so that Capitalism(and itslic is left to believe that it does.Theprogeny,Communism)may beenthroned"democracy"so much noised about inthe more firmly.So the contrast orconnection with the war means,in cer-confiict is between Capital-Communismtain circles,the political set-up of Liber-and Corporatism. This Capitalism-alism(under which Capitalism and allCommunism,which is placed in antithe-that hangs with it thrives)and,in othersis to Corporatism;is labeled “democ-circles,it means the"proletarian demo-eracy."So the question arises:Shall thatcracy”of Communism(this latter,inbe the policy of our government and ourspite of seeming antithesis,is a progenypeople?Shall America's war-issue be:of,and like unto,the former).Now,it isDemocracy(in the sense of Capital-very important to note that these circles,ism-Communinsm versus 'Corporatism?who employ the word in this two-fold im-Shall our country fight for the frnerproper sense,are speaking of the war asenthronement of Capitalism and Com-a war for“democracy”and againstmunism and the destruction or obstruc-"Fascism."So these,who virtuallytion of Corporatism?identify"democracv"with CapitalismShould it not be evident,whatis reallyand Communism,tell us that the war iscontemplated;namely,depriving thebeing waged for--the equivalent of Cap-people of true democracy and givingitalism and Communism.And they placethem instead another period of exploi-this Capitalism-Communism equivalenttation under Capitalism and Commun-of“democracy"in contrast with“Fasc-ism under the name of“democracy.”ism.”Thus they give the war-issue as:Should it not be evident from the very"Democracy versus Fascism." Sincenature of the case,that the proposed“Fascism”is,to all appearances.not areenthronement of Capitalism andsysten of its own but incipient Corpor-Communism under the name of“democ- December,1942 racy”has forits purpose the forestalling one now proposed is only external,non-of true democracy?Should it not be evi-essential.Organization on the basis

FAQs

What does the publication claim is the real issue behind the word “democracy” in wartime?

It argues “democracy” has been much abused and used as a shield, and that the real issue is framed as democracy/capitalism versus corporatism rather than a simple slogan battle.

How does the text interpret the war-issue “democracy versus fascism”?

It presents the phrase as misleading, claiming the dispute is effectively tied to enthroning capitalism and communism under the name of democracy while obstructing corporatism.

What example does the document use to explain “true industrial democracy”?

It points to medieval craft guilds and their corporative structures, suggesting modern industrial organization should adapt that guild model to current needs and conditions.

Sep 21, 2026

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