champagne socialismn.
/ˌʃampeɪn ˈsəʊʃəlɪz(ə)m/, /ˌʃampeɪn ˈsəʊʃl̩ɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌʃæmˌpeɪn ˈsoʊʃəˌlɪzəm/ depreciative (chiefly British).
Socialism as practised or espoused by people who enjoy a wealthy lifestyle. Cf. champagne socialist n.Quot. 1906 appears to be an isolated use in the context of a discussion about a hypothetical system of socialism.
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society > authority > rule or government > politics > political philosophy > socialism > [noun] > other types of socialism
Saint-Simonism1830
democratic socialism1848
social democracy1848
scientific socialism1849
utopian socialism1849
state socialism1851
societarianism1852
internationalism1871
state capitalism?1886
nationalism1889
Liberal-Labourism1905
champagne socialism1906
maximalism1909
guild-socialism1912
Popular Frontism1938
Saint-Simonianism1974
1906 G. C. Eggleston Blind Alleys xvi. 209 Why should a champagne socialism rob them of rag-time and inflict Chopin or Verdi or Wagner upon them, any more than a beer socialism should compel us to give up grand opera and the Boston Symphony Concerts, and listen to rag-time instead?
1980 New Statesman 14 Nov. 25/1 His protagonist's snobbishness, cynicism and champagne socialism.
1987 Time 12 Oct. 46/1 The planned review brought a lash of criticism from left-wing delegates [at the British Labour Party conference]. ‘Champagne Socialism’, they called the new thrust.
1999 Daily Tel. 23 Sept. 31/1 His unpopularity..also derived from jealousy, caused by Jenkins's success in swelling the membership of his union, and his combination of Left-wing views and ‘Champagne Socialism’.
2002 Western Morning News (Electronic ed.) 1 Mar. Fellow journalists claim they were briefed by what they call the Downing Street ‘smear machine’, suggesting they inquire into Martin's ownership of two homes, which is a bit rich coming from the heartland of champagne socialism.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2021; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1906