Falangism
Encyclopedia
Falangism is the political ideology of the Spanish Falange
as well as derivatives of it in other countries. In its original form, Falangism is widely associated as a fascist
ideology, the Spanish Falange denied this, claiming it was not a copy of any foreign movement. In its original form, it claimed to be more radical than fascism and was critical of right-wing figures it claimed were associated with fascism, and criticized the Italian Fascist
corporatist
economic system. Under the leadership of Francisco Franco
, much of the radical elements considered to be fascist of Falangism were dilluted and it largely became an authoritarian
conservative
ideology connected with Francoism. Opponents of Franco's changes to the party, including former Falange leader Manuel Hedilla
formed the Authentic Falange
that adheres to the party's original ideology. Falangism places a strong emphasis on Catholic religious identity, though it has held anti-clerical views on the Church's direct influence in society. Falangism emphasized the need for authority
, hierarchy
, and order
in society. Falangism is anti-communist
, anti-democratic
, and anti-liberal.
Spanish Falangism in the Falange's original manifesto called the Twenty-Seven Points declared Falangism to support: the unity of Spain
and the elimination of regional separatism; the establishment of a dictatorship
led by the Falange; utilizing violence to regenerate Spain; promoting the development of Spanish imperial power; a social revolution
to create: a national syndicalist
economy that creates national syndicates
of both employees and employers to mutually organize and control the economic activity, agrarian reform, industrial expansion, respect for private property
with the exception of nationalizing credit
facilities to prevent capitalist
usury
. Under Franco, the Falange abandoned its original anti-capitalist
tendencies, declaring the ideology to be fully compatible with capitalism.
The Spanish Falange and its Hispanic affiliates across the world promoted the concept of "Hispanidad", a form of pan-Hispanism that promoted both cultural and economic union of Hispanic societies across the world.
Falangism has attacked both the political left
and the right
as its "enemies", declaring itself to be neither left nor right, but a syncretic
third position
. However scholarly sources reviewing Falangism place it on the political right.
, Primo de Rivera declared that "The State is founded on two principles—service to the united nation and the cooperation of classes
".
Falangism in Spain has supported racial policy
and views races as being in a hierarchy ranging from superior to inferior, but unlike other racialists like the Nazis
Falangism is unconcerned about racial purity and does not denounce other races for being inferior, claiming "that every race has a particular cultural significance" and claiming that the intermixing of the superior Spanish race and inferior races has produced a "Hispanic supercaste" that is "ethnically improved, morally robust, spiritually vigorous". It is less concerned about biological Spanish racial regeneration than it was in advocating the necessity of Spanish Catholic spiritual regeneration. It has however promoted eugenics
designed to eliminate physical and psychological damage caused by pathogenic agents; and it supports natality policies to stimulate increased fertility rate among ideal physically and morally fit citizens.
The Spanish Falange supported conservative patriarchal
ideas about women and supported rigid gender roles that stipulated that women's main duties in life were to be a loving mother and a submissive wife. This policy was set against that of the Second Spanish Republic
that provided universal suffrage
to women.
" economy that rejected both capitalism and communism. Primo de Rivera denounced capitalism for being an individualist economy at the hands of the bourgeoisie that turned workers "into a dehumanized cog in the machinery of bourgeois production" while state socialist
economies enslaved the individual by handing control of production to the state.
single party state.
. The Spanish Falange supported Spanish intervention during World War II
against the Soviet Union
in the name of anti-communism, resulting in Spain supporting the Anti-Comintern Pact
and sending volunteers to join Nazi Germany
's foreign legions on the Eastern Front
to support the German war effort against the Soviet Union.
The Spanish Falange and its Hispanic affiliates have promoted the cultural, economic, and racial unity of Hispanic peoples across the world in "Hispanidad".
Falange
The Spanish Phalanx of the Assemblies of the National Syndicalist Offensive , known simply as the Falange, is the name assigned to several political movements and parties dating from the 1930s, most particularly the original fascist movement in Spain. The word means phalanx formation in Spanish....
as well as derivatives of it in other countries. In its original form, Falangism is widely associated as a fascist
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
ideology, the Spanish Falange denied this, claiming it was not a copy of any foreign movement. In its original form, it claimed to be more radical than fascism and was critical of right-wing figures it claimed were associated with fascism, and criticized the Italian Fascist
Italian Fascism
Italian Fascism also known as Fascism with a capital "F" refers to the original fascist ideology in Italy. This ideology is associated with the National Fascist Party which under Benito Mussolini ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1922 until 1943, the Republican Fascist Party which ruled the Italian...
corporatist
Corporatism
Corporatism, also known as corporativism, is a system of economic, political, or social organization that involves association of the people of society into corporate groups, such as agricultural, business, ethnic, labor, military, patronage, or scientific affiliations, on the basis of common...
economic system. Under the leadership of Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
, much of the radical elements considered to be fascist of Falangism were dilluted and it largely became an authoritarian
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
conservative
Conservatism
Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...
ideology connected with Francoism. Opponents of Franco's changes to the party, including former Falange leader Manuel Hedilla
Manuel Hedilla
Manuel Hedilla Larrey was a Spanish political figure who was a leading member of the Falange and an early rival for power towards Francisco Franco. By profession he was a mechanic....
formed the Authentic Falange
Authentic Falange
True Falange is a Falangist political party in Spain. FA emerged in 2002 as a split from Falange Española/La Falange. FA claims to represent the heritage of the dissolved Falange Española de las JONS ....
that adheres to the party's original ideology. Falangism places a strong emphasis on Catholic religious identity, though it has held anti-clerical views on the Church's direct influence in society. Falangism emphasized the need for authority
Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of social organization characterized by submission to authority. It is usually opposed to individualism and democracy...
, hierarchy
Social stratification
In sociology the social stratification is a concept of class, involving the "classification of persons into groups based on shared socio-economic conditions ... a relational set of inequalities with economic, social, political and ideological dimensions."...
, and order
Social order
Social order is a concept used in sociology, history and other social sciences. It refers to a set of linked social structures, social institutions and social practices which conserve, maintain and enforce "normal" ways of relating and behaving....
in society. Falangism is anti-communist
Anti-communism
Anti-communism is opposition to communism. Organized anti-communism developed in reaction to the rise of communism, especially after the 1917 October Revolution in Russia and the beginning of the Cold War in 1947.-Objections to communist theory:...
, anti-democratic
Anti-democratic thought
Anti-democratic thought refers to opposition to democracy. Anti-democratic thought is typically, though not always, associated with anti-egalitarianism. Important figures associated with anti-democratic thinking include Martin Heidegger, Hubert Lagardelle, Vladimir Lenin, Charles Maurras, Friedrich...
, and anti-liberal.
Spanish Falangism in the Falange's original manifesto called the Twenty-Seven Points declared Falangism to support: the unity of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
and the elimination of regional separatism; the establishment of a dictatorship
Dictatorship
A dictatorship is defined as an autocratic form of government in which the government is ruled by an individual, the dictator. It has three possible meanings:...
led by the Falange; utilizing violence to regenerate Spain; promoting the development of Spanish imperial power; a social revolution
Social revolution
The term social revolution may have different connotations depending on the speaker.In the Trotskyist movement, the term "social revolution" refers to an upheaval in which existing property relations are smashed...
to create: a national syndicalist
National syndicalism
National syndicalism is a nationalist variant of syndicalism.- Founding of national syndicalism in France :National syndicalism was founded in France by the fusion of Maurrassian integral nationalism with Sorelian syndicalism. Interest in Sorelian thought arose in the French political right,...
economy that creates national syndicates
Syndicate
A syndicate is a self-organizing group of individuals, companies or entities formed to transact some specific business, or to promote a common interest or in the case of criminals, to engage in organized crime...
of both employees and employers to mutually organize and control the economic activity, agrarian reform, industrial expansion, respect for private property
Private property
Private property is the right of persons and firms to obtain, own, control, employ, dispose of, and bequeath land, capital, and other forms of property. Private property is distinguishable from public property, which refers to assets owned by a state, community or government rather than by...
with the exception of nationalizing credit
Credit (finance)
Credit is the trust which allows one party to provide resources to another party where that second party does not reimburse the first party immediately , but instead arranges either to repay or return those resources at a later date. The resources provided may be financial Credit is the trust...
facilities to prevent capitalist
Capitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
usury
Usury
Usury Originally, when the charging of interest was still banned by Christian churches, usury simply meant the charging of interest at any rate . In countries where the charging of interest became acceptable, the term came to be used for interest above the rate allowed by law...
. Under Franco, the Falange abandoned its original anti-capitalist
Anti-capitalism
Anti-capitalism describes a wide variety of movements, ideas, and attitudes which oppose capitalism. Anti-capitalists, in the strict sense of the word, are those who wish to completely replace capitalism with another system....
tendencies, declaring the ideology to be fully compatible with capitalism.
The Spanish Falange and its Hispanic affiliates across the world promoted the concept of "Hispanidad", a form of pan-Hispanism that promoted both cultural and economic union of Hispanic societies across the world.
Falangism has attacked both the political left
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
and the right
Right-wing politics
In politics, Right, right-wing and rightist generally refer to support for a hierarchical society justified on the basis of an appeal to natural law or tradition. To varying degrees, the Right rejects the egalitarian objectives of left-wing politics, claiming that the imposition of equality is...
as its "enemies", declaring itself to be neither left nor right, but a syncretic
Syncretic politics
Syncretic politics or spectral-syncretic refers to a form of politics outside of the conventional left-right political spectrum, this term is especially used by some scholars to describe the political nature of fascism...
third position
Third Position
Third Position is a revolutionary nationalist political ideology that emphasizes its opposition to both communism and capitalism. Advocates of Third Position politics typically present themselves as "beyond left and right", instead claiming to syncretize radical ideas from both ends of the...
. However scholarly sources reviewing Falangism place it on the political right.
Social
Falangism supports a national, trans-class society while opposing individual-class-based societies, such as bourgeois or proletarian societies. Falangism opposes class conflictClass conflict
Class conflict is the tension or antagonism which exists in society due to competing socioeconomic interests between people of different classes....
, Primo de Rivera declared that "The State is founded on two principles—service to the united nation and the cooperation of classes
Class collaboration
Class collaboration is a principle of social organization based upon the belief that the division of society into a hierarchy of social classes is a positive and essential aspect of civilization.-Class collaboration under capitalism:...
".
Falangism in Spain has supported racial policy
Racialism
Racialism is an emphasis on race or racial considerations. Currently, racialism entails a belief in the existence and significance of racial categories, but not necessarily that any absolute hierarchy between the races has been demonstrated by a rigorous and comprehensive scientific process...
and views races as being in a hierarchy ranging from superior to inferior, but unlike other racialists like the Nazis
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
Falangism is unconcerned about racial purity and does not denounce other races for being inferior, claiming "that every race has a particular cultural significance" and claiming that the intermixing of the superior Spanish race and inferior races has produced a "Hispanic supercaste" that is "ethnically improved, morally robust, spiritually vigorous". It is less concerned about biological Spanish racial regeneration than it was in advocating the necessity of Spanish Catholic spiritual regeneration. It has however promoted eugenics
Eugenics
Eugenics is the "applied science or the bio-social movement which advocates the use of practices aimed at improving the genetic composition of a population", usually referring to human populations. The origins of the concept of eugenics began with certain interpretations of Mendelian inheritance,...
designed to eliminate physical and psychological damage caused by pathogenic agents; and it supports natality policies to stimulate increased fertility rate among ideal physically and morally fit citizens.
The Spanish Falange supported conservative patriarchal
Patriarchy
Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organization, and where fathers hold authority over women, children, and property. It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege, and entails female subordination...
ideas about women and supported rigid gender roles that stipulated that women's main duties in life were to be a loving mother and a submissive wife. This policy was set against that of the Second Spanish Republic
Second Spanish Republic
The Second Spanish Republic was the government of Spain between April 14 1931, and its destruction by a military rebellion, led by General Francisco Franco....
that provided universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
to women.
Economic
Originally Falangism in Spain as promoted by Primo de Rivera, advocated a "National SyndicalistNational syndicalism
National syndicalism is a nationalist variant of syndicalism.- Founding of national syndicalism in France :National syndicalism was founded in France by the fusion of Maurrassian integral nationalism with Sorelian syndicalism. Interest in Sorelian thought arose in the French political right,...
" economy that rejected both capitalism and communism. Primo de Rivera denounced capitalism for being an individualist economy at the hands of the bourgeoisie that turned workers "into a dehumanized cog in the machinery of bourgeois production" while state socialist
State socialism
State socialism is an economic system with limited socialist characteristics, such as public ownership of major industries, remedial measures to benefit the working class, and a gradual process of developing socialism through government policy...
economies enslaved the individual by handing control of production to the state.
Political structure
Falangism supports the establishment of a Falangist-led totalitarianTotalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible...
single party state.
International relations
Falangism's staunch anti-communism has resulted in the ideology supporting international alliance against communismCommunism
Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that aims at the establishment of a classless, moneyless, revolutionary and stateless socialist society structured upon common ownership of the means of production...
. The Spanish Falange supported Spanish intervention during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
against the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in the name of anti-communism, resulting in Spain supporting the Anti-Comintern Pact
Anti-Comintern Pact
The Anti-Comintern Pact was an Anti-Communist pact concluded between Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan on November 25, 1936 and was directed against the Communist International ....
and sending volunteers to join Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
's foreign legions on the Eastern Front
Eastern Front (World War II)
The Eastern Front of World War II was a theatre of World War II between the European Axis powers and co-belligerent Finland against the Soviet Union, Poland, and some other Allies which encompassed Northern, Southern and Eastern Europe from 22 June 1941 to 9 May 1945...
to support the German war effort against the Soviet Union.
The Spanish Falange and its Hispanic affiliates have promoted the cultural, economic, and racial unity of Hispanic peoples across the world in "Hispanidad".