Serious question: why is it bad to be a champagne socialist?

[JawJaw]

Being a champagne socialist is apparently a bad thing. I am mystified about this. Can someone explain why?

Is your Google broken?

It’s not bad really- just a lazy way of dismissing someone’s political views without bothering to address them.

Because champagne is disgusting and people only pretend to like it?

I have no idea.

Cos it implies you're rich and "real" socialists hate those who have accumulated capital?

Because socialists are supposed to drink pints of Mild, or mugs of tea with five sugars?

Some people who lack empathy themselves prefer to ridicule people who are capable of it.

See also "virtue signalling" and "woke".

it isn't bad

It's supposedly hypocritical isn't it; someone who theoretically supports the redistribution of wealth but is actually pretty wealthy themselves.

I insisted on drinking champagne (not Prosecco) to celebrate the Labour victory just so we could call ourselves champagne socialists

I don't think there's anything wrong with wealthy people being socialist - or left-leaning, btw; I think everyone should be!

😂agreed

It indicates that they're out busy partying and enjoying their wealth whilst the poor starve on their doorsteps.

But they don’t though?

But if they are socialists then they are organising to make sure there is less inequality?

They do this inbetween partying though.

I thought it meant rich people who say they are left wing? But have benefitted from generational wealth and private school?

The Fabian Society will have parties.

Non working class people with outwardly socialist views but whose lifestyle and actions don't match them.

@Santasbigredbobblehat but why is it bad to benefit from wealth but want others to have it too?

Because there are people who feel uncomfortable at some level at being completely self centred, so have to find ways to make themselves feel better. Mocking people who aren't is the way some of them do it.

@goingdownfighting I don’t understand. What is not matching what?

Because it is an easy personal slur loved by lazy right-wingers that allows them to denigrate and dismiss anyone with progressive views who has achieved success, without having to engage with their actual arguments about the actual issues, and whether the socialist in question might have any sliver of a point.

Why does drinking champagne not match socialism? Serious question

I know a person, claimed to be a socialist but sent her children to top private schools and used private healthcare. I'd have described her as a Champagne socialist.

It's not a bad thing.

I'm working class and I'm glad that "champagne socialists" exist. You don't need to be working class to empathise with us.

@Growsomeballswoman can you explain exactly what is bad with this?

I think it's easy to have notions of wealth redistribution when you know you have numerous safety nets in and around you, and you will never experience real poverty and deprivation. It's easy to have socialist ideals whilst never fully understanding poverty and being accustomed to drinking high end alcohol.

If you grow up with food poverty and no options or limited options and stressed out families who can't support you, you may be much more hungry tor wealth and security and less inclined to to blindly follow wealth redistribution models, once you have attained financial security.