Zohran Mamdani famously won the New York mayoral election, along with news of some other social democrat, and in at least one case socialist, politicians being elected to various levels of governance in the past weeks.
However, there will obviously be a broad range of reaction from the owning class (including but not limited to possible capital strikes). On top of that, since Mamdani ran as a Democrat, there is a very real threat of the Democratic Party establishment forcing Mamdani into compromise, for example, by state Dems threatening not to approve Mamdani’s tax increases on the rich.
We’ve already seen some possible signs of Mamdani moderating stances on police and Zionism, and we’ve already seen other recent DSA politicians like AOC compromising, so this threat of Democratic Party pressure could be imminent if Mamdani (and the Dems) aren’t held accountable by citizens and their power structures (including unions and other interest groups).
What power do citizens have to hold these social politicians to their word? How much power do existing structures like the DSA and worker unions have?
First, it’s important for people to understand that democratic governance is compromise. At least when elected officials play by the rules (cough, Trump/GOP).
Second, I don’t think Mamdani was ever going to turn. NYC into a “socialist paradise,” like all the rich/right-wing/centrist Chicken Littles warned. The best he can hope to do is pull the state party back to the left. Maybe find some success with progressive policies and open the door for more progressive candidates.
Democrats have been trying for so long to get the mythical “moderate Republican” vote that they’ve effectively become the centrist party, and it’s allowed the GOP to move further and further to the right to where Tea Partiers are now the moderates! It’s good to see a true progressive win a major election, even if it is NYC (the city did also elect Rudy & Bloomberg to the post).
Worry more about how to hold the wealthy accountable. Rich people have run things since the dawn of time. It doesn’t matter if it’s currency or stones, the wealth hoarding mindset has been the universal problem this whole time.
Hold the wealthy accountable and stop letting people get that rich.
