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sewer socialism

Originally a pejorative term for the the Socialist Party of America, sewer socialism is a form of socialism that focuses on improving quality of life from the ground up instead of reform through revolution. Examples include sanitation systems, city-owned water and power, improved quality of education and so on. Also known as Constructive Socialism, and is considered a pregenitor to Democratic Socialism.
"We wanted our workers to have pure air, we wanted them to have sunshine, we wanted planned homes, we wanted living wages; we wanted recreation for young and old; we wanted vocational education; we wanted a chance for every human being to be strong and live a life of happiness.

And, we wanted everything that was necessary to give them that: playgrounds, parks, lakes, beaches, clean creeks and rivers, swimming and wading pools, social centers, reading rooms, clean fun, music dance song and joy for all."
-- Emil Seidel, Milwaukee's first socialist mayor, describing his sewer socialism platform
by The Logical Fallacy August 7, 2023
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