sewer socialism

English

Etymology

From sewer +‎ socialism. Originally coined by Riga-born American lawyer, politician and art collector Morris Hillquit in 1932 as a derogatory nickname.

Noun

sewer socialism (uncountable)

  1. (US politics, originally derogatory) A form of socialism that prioritises provision of public services and infrastructure, primarily associated with Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
    • 2025 October 11, Jonathan Derbyshire, quoting Zohran Mamdani, “Bringing back the S-word”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 19:
      “Sewer socialism”, he said, means “that we want to showcase our ideals, not by lecturing people about how correct we are, but rather by delivering and letting that delivery be the argument itself.”

Derived terms

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