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Champagne socialist

We control what you think with Language |
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Said and done |
Jargon, buzzwords, slogans |

“”When I was poor and complained about inequality they said I was bitter; now that I'm rich and I complain about inequality they say I'm a hypocrite. I'm beginning to think they just don't want to talk about inequality.
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—Russell Brand[1] |
"Champagne socialist" is a term used against critics of capitalism. It subjects critics to an Appeal to hypocrisy logical fallacy, to dismiss any and all arguments and criticisms against capitalism.
The term was coined by a confederate solider, George Cary Eggleston, who remained his entire life a complete defender of white supremacy and slavery by championing the Lost Cause.[2]
As a snarl word, it's used primarily by folks who believe in shooting the messenger that people who have been the beneficiaries of capitalism should be precluded from criticizing its failures and shortcomings.
Some examples[edit]
The term was first used to criticise the first Labour government of Ramsay MacDonald,[3] Oscar Wilde,[4] and even the non-socialist New Labour.[5]
Other terms[edit]
- Limousine liberal, Lexus liberal, and latte liberal (in the United States)
- Brosocialist and Manarchist (amongst feminists)
- Bourgeois bohemian (France, though David Brooks tried to appropriate it)
- Chardonnay socialist (generally in Australia and New Zealand)
- Coffee-house communist (in India[note 1])
- Shiraz socialist
- Gauche caviar (France)
- Progre(sista) de salón (Spain)
- Socialista Caviar (Portugal)
- Kystbanesocialist (Denmark)
- Grachtengordelsocialist (Netherlands)
- SWPL (from the satirical blog Stuff White People Like)
- Kawiorowa lewica (Poland)
- Smoked salmon socialist (Ireland)[6]
See also[edit]
- Cloth coat Republican — Its diametrical opposite, though no less self-righteous.
- Fun:You have two cows
Notes[edit]
- ↑ It comes from the Indian Coffee House, which is a federation of worker co-operatives
References[edit]
- ↑ Quote by Russell Brand
- ↑ George Cary Eggleston (1839-1911)
- ↑ What's the problem with champagne socialism?
- ↑ Will Shelf: Oscar Wilde, champagne socialism and why I am voting Labour
- ↑ How Blair's New Labour went flat for champagne socialism by the Torygraph
- ↑ Smoked Salmon Socialists and Others. Irish Times, 28 October 1998.