Yellow socialism
Encyclopedia
Yellow socialism has two meanings. It is primarily a system of government devised by Pierre Biétry
in 1904, that offers the working classes a contrasting alternative to "red socialism" (Marxism
). It was prominent in the early twentieth century prior to World War I
, competing with Marxism for the minds of the workers. After this point, this movement became absorbed into fascism
, and the previously developed Austrian national socialism
which from 1920 developed into Nazism
.
This philosophy entailed workers striving to be part of a capitalist system, forming unions that were equal with groups of companies (similar to corporatism
). Workers were to share in company profits more greatly through negotiation between these two groups. The philosophy proposed that above this should lie a strong autocratic state.
However, the term was appropriated by Marxists to describe self-described socialists who were seen by Marxists as on the side of the ruling class; all non-Marxists considering themselves socialists ("revisionists"), whether they identified with the label or not. This usage included many whose ideas would later be known as social democracy
and democratic socialism
, very different concepts to that devised by Biétry.
, in 1904 when he founded the Fédération nationale des Jaunes de France
("National Federation of Yellows of France"). Later, affiliated Swiss and German "yellow" groups formed. This movement was strongly opposed to Marxism.
In the United States
, yellow socialism was associated with the business unionism
of Samuel Gompers
(and thus described as "yellow unionism"). Business unionism was centered on the belief that the workers' best option was to form a labour cartel within a capitalist
society.
Yellow socialists and yellow unionists were criticized by Marxists for their nationalism
and perceived occasional engagement in chauvinism
such as opposition to immigration
(for flooding the labour market and reducing wages or denying jobs to native-born citizens), and sometimes even racism
including anti-Semitism
.
In Europe, during World War I
, Marxists associated the social democratic
parties with yellow socialism, as they supported their own states in the war rather than taking an internationalist position against the conflict. However, such parties had no connection to Biétry's thinking.
The "Berne International
", formed in Zimmerwald
in 1915, was similarly described as "yellow socialist" by Lenin for its rejection of revolutionary socialism, despite its opposition to the war.http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1919/jul/14.htm
After World War I
the term "yellow socialism" fell into disuse.
Pierre Biétry
Pierre Biétry was a French syndicalist and politician who initially followed orthodox socialism before moving to the right. He was the pioneer of 'Yellow socialism', a movement that has been portrayed as a forerunner of fascism...
in 1904, that offers the working classes a contrasting alternative to "red socialism" (Marxism
Marxism
Marxism is an economic and sociopolitical worldview and method of socioeconomic inquiry that centers upon a materialist interpretation of history, a dialectical view of social change, and an analysis and critique of the development of capitalism. Marxism was pioneered in the early to mid 19th...
). It was prominent in the early twentieth century prior to World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, competing with Marxism for the minds of the workers. After this point, this movement became absorbed into fascism
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...
, and the previously developed Austrian national socialism
Austrian National Socialism
Austrian National Socialism was a Pan-German movement that was formed at the beginning of the 20th century. The movement took a concrete form on November 15, 1903 when the German Worker's Party was established in Austria with its secretariat stationed in the town of Aussig...
which from 1920 developed into Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
.
This philosophy entailed workers striving to be part of a capitalist system, forming unions that were equal with groups of companies (similar to corporatism
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...
). Workers were to share in company profits more greatly through negotiation between these two groups. The philosophy proposed that above this should lie a strong autocratic state.
However, the term was appropriated by Marxists to describe self-described socialists who were seen by Marxists as on the side of the ruling class; all non-Marxists considering themselves socialists ("revisionists"), whether they identified with the label or not. This usage included many whose ideas would later be known as social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
and democratic socialism
Democratic socialism
Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation...
, very different concepts to that devised by Biétry.
History
The term "yellow socialism" was coined by a former member of the French Socialist Party, Pierre BiétryPierre Biétry
Pierre Biétry was a French syndicalist and politician who initially followed orthodox socialism before moving to the right. He was the pioneer of 'Yellow socialism', a movement that has been portrayed as a forerunner of fascism...
, in 1904 when he founded the Fédération nationale des Jaunes de France
Fédération nationale des Jaunes de France
The Fédération nationale des Jaunes de France was the first 'yellow' or company union in France. It was created by Pierre Biétry in 1902. The yellow colour was deliberately chosen in opposition to the red colour associated with socialism....
("National Federation of Yellows of France"). Later, affiliated Swiss and German "yellow" groups formed. This movement was strongly opposed to Marxism.
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, yellow socialism was associated with the business unionism
Business unionism
A business union is a description of a particular type of trade union, or of a trade union with particular characteristics. The meaning of business unionism has changed over a period of time. The term is believed to be of American derivation, and has been applied in particular to phenomena...
of Samuel Gompers
Samuel Gompers
Samuel Gompers was an English-born American cigar maker who became a labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. Gompers founded the American Federation of Labor , and served as that organization's president from 1886 to 1894 and from 1895 until his death in 1924...
(and thus described as "yellow unionism"). Business unionism was centered on the belief that the workers' best option was to form a labour cartel within a 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...
society.
Yellow socialists and yellow unionists were criticized by Marxists for their nationalism
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
and perceived occasional engagement in chauvinism
Chauvinism
Chauvinism, in its original and primary meaning, is an exaggerated, bellicose patriotism and a belief in national superiority and glory. It is an eponym of a possibly fictional French soldier Nicolas Chauvin who was credited with many superhuman feats in the Napoleonic wars.By extension it has come...
such as opposition to immigration
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
(for flooding the labour market and reducing wages or denying jobs to native-born citizens), and sometimes even racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
including anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
.
In Europe, during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Marxists associated the social democratic
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
parties with yellow socialism, as they supported their own states in the war rather than taking an internationalist position against the conflict. However, such parties had no connection to Biétry's thinking.
The "Berne International
Berne International
The International Socialist Commission, also known as the International Socialist Committee or the Berne International was a coordinating committee of socialists parties that adhered to the idea of the Zimmerwald Conference of 1915....
", formed in Zimmerwald
Zimmerwald Conference
The Zimmerwald Conference was held in Zimmerwald, Switzerland, from September 5 through September 8, 1915. It was an international socialist conference, which saw the beginning of the end of the coalition between revolutionary socialists and reformist socialists in the Second International.-...
in 1915, was similarly described as "yellow socialist" by Lenin for its rejection of revolutionary socialism, despite its opposition to the war.http://www.marxists.org/archive/lenin/works/1919/jul/14.htm
After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
the term "yellow socialism" fell into disuse.
External links
- Le socialisme et les Jaunes by Pierre BiétryPierre BiétryPierre Biétry was a French syndicalist and politician who initially followed orthodox socialism before moving to the right. He was the pioneer of 'Yellow socialism', a movement that has been portrayed as a forerunner of fascism...
(Plon-Nourrit, Paris, 1906) - Yellow unions in Ireland by James ConnollyJames ConnollyJames Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of...
- Fascism: A Reader's Guide by Zeev SternhellZeev SternhellZeev Sternhell is an Israeli historian and one of the world's leading experts on Fascism. Sternhell headed the Department of Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and writes for Haaretz newspaper.-Biography:...