Yogthos
@yogthos@social.marxist.network  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

Soviet food distribution permitted an unprecedented access to luxury foods for ordinary workers. A 1930s Soviet worker could line up to receive caviar and cognac. This was unimaginable for a US worker of the same time period.

https://www.bloomsbury.com/ca/caviar-with-champagne-9781859736388/

#socialism

that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
that they should be delivered and sold only in solid plate boxes. An order dated 4 February 1936, with the proper recipe included, was signed by the Vice Minister of Food Industry, Levitin and sent to all confectioneries. They were told to start producing a new type of a caramel named Nonparel.3333 This is one more piece of evidence that the production of such goods took place under the special care of the highest authorities. From 1933 until the outbreak of the Second World War – or rather its preliminaries of the Finnish War and the occupation of Western Ukraine and Eastern Poland by Soviet troops – there is a great deal of evidence showing that the Communist Party was deeply involved in creating a luxury goods society. They
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
more prosperous now. The new luxury goods were often in evidence at family parties, during birthday celebrations or at public holidays. Most of the goods were available in great quantities just before public holidays for a relatively moderate price. The main Soviet public holidays – New Year’s, 1 May and October Revolution Day – were firmly established as an essential part of the life of every Soviet citizen in the 1930s. The New Year, for example, became an official annual feast in the Soviet Union in 1936 (to replace Christmas) and many of the rituals and symbols associated with it are preserved to this day.1515 The Christmas tree, along with its decora-
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
Champagne, cognac, caviar, chocolate and perfume were all part of this new luxury culture. All these goods have a certain sensual pleasure, meant to be enjoyed by drinking, eating or smelling. They were also feminine goods in the sense that they were mainly targeted towards female consumers, towards the new Soviet women, and were considered to be suitable gifts for women of all ages. In the mid-1930s such products were produced in great quantities. Later, other goods such as crystal glasses and vases, amber necklaces, scarves and fur hats were also found in special state shops in urban areas. This limited group of products preserved its
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
form of kitsch and examines the ideological underpinnings behind their production. This new attitude toward consumption was accompanied by the promotion of new manners of everyday life. The process was not without serious ideological contradictions. Ironically, a factory worker living in the United States—the largest capitalist society in the world—would have been hard-pressed to afford caviar or champagne for a special occasion in the 1930s, but a Soviet worker theoretically could (assuming supplies were in stock). The Soviet example is unique since the luxury culture had to be created entirely from scratch, and
Nikov ☭ 🇵🇸 🇱🇧 🇾🇪
@niko@masto.nobigtech.es replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago
@yogthos just to point something important: caviar was abundant on Russia (which is hell big), so the whole USSR benefited from it. Right now it is expensive af not only because it is more expensive to produce, export, etc... but also because from a point of time it has been considered a luxury food and the price is most of it speculative.
In the USSR caviar was no luxury at all. For something to be considered luxury, it has to be "exclusive" as capitalist pigs say.