Integralism, or integral nationalism, is a perspective according to which society is an organic unity. Although it is marked by its being exclusionary and particularistic, and there has been consideration of its historic role as a sort of proto-fascism (in a European context)[1] or actual fascism (in a South American context),[2] this link remains controversial, with some social scientists positing that it combines elements of both the political left and right.[3] Integralism is a term also used to describe an "antipluralist" trend of Catholicism; the Catholic Integralism born of mid-19th century Italy was a movement to assert a Catholic underpinning to all social and political action, and to minimize or eliminate any competing ideological actors, such as Marxism or secular humanism.[4]
Often associated with blood and soil conservatism, it posits society or the state as an end and a moral good, rather than a means.[1] The term integralism was coined by the French atheist poet Charles Maurras, whose conception of nationalism was illiberal and anti-internationalist, elevating the interest of the state above that of the individual and above humanity in general.[1]
Integralism claims that the best political institutions for given nations will differ depending on the history, culture and climate of the nation's habitat. Integralism is a Catholic inspired movement and does not support a national church, or Erastianism (Gallicanism in French context).
Its critics and opponents also say that the movement is particularly associated with the French Action Française movement founded by Charles Maurras, and with fascism (especially in Latin America), although there exist deep points of disagreement: the stress on free unionism and localism while fascism defends a centralist state; the traditionalist and Catholic foundation of their ideas against the often secular and anti-clerical, and modernist philosophical basis of fascism.[5]
In Portugal it is a monarchist and traditionalist movement of ideas and not a republican and state capitalist movement as was fascism.[6]
Integralism defends social differentiation and hierarchy with co-operation between social classes, transcending conflict between social and economic groups.[citation needed] It advocates free unionism, corporatism, and organic political representation instead of ideological forms of representation.[citation needed]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Caldwell, Wilbur W. American Narcissism: the Myth of National Superiority. 2006, page 22-4
- ^ Adam, Thomas. Germany and the Americas: Culture, Politics, and History. 2005, page 561
- ^ Gingrich, André and Banks, Marcus. Neo-nationalism in Europe and Beyond: Perspectives from Social Anthropology'. 2006, page 162-3
- ^ Kertzer, David I. Comrades and Christians: religion and political struggle in Communist Italy. 1980, page 101-2
- ^ Payne, Stanley A History of Fascism, 1914-1945, Routledge 1996.
- ^ Kallis, Aristotle A. Fascism Reader p. 313-317 2003 Routledge
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