Page "Syndicalism" Paragraph 15

An emphasis on industrial organisation was a distinguishing feature of syndicalism when it began to be identified as a distinct current at the beginning of the 20th century.

Due to a still-tangible faith in the viability of the state socialist system, most socialist groups of that period emphasised the importance of political action through party organisations as a means of bringing about socialism ; in syndicalism, trade unions are thus seen as simply a stepping stone to common ownership.

Although all syndicalists emphasise industrial organisation, not all reject political action altogether.

For example, De Leonists and some other Industrial Unionists advocate parallel organisation both politically and industrially, while recognising that trade unions are at a comparable disadvantage due to the lobby of business groups on political leaders.

Syndicalism would historically gain most of its support in Italy, France and particularly Spain, where the anarcho-syndicalist revolution during the Spanish civil war resulted in the widespread implementation of anarchist and more broadly socialist organizational principles throughout various portions of the country for two to three years, primarily Catalonia, Aragon, Andalusia, and parts of the Levante.

Much of Spain's economy was put under worker control ; in anarchist strongholds like Catalonia, the figure was as high as 75 %.

Their eventual defeat and World War II lead to the formerly prominent theory being repressed, as the three nations where it had the most power were now under fascist control.

Support for Syndicalism never fully recovered to the height it enjoyed in the early 20th century.