Mamdani’s victory Signals a Four-Way Fracture in American Politics
The election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York has sent ripples of optimism through emancipation movements globally, but more importantly, it signals a basic realignment of power within the United States. The triumph demonstrates that the ability to mobilize voters and challenge the status quo is no longer the sole domain of the populist right,as democratic socialists prove capable of similar feats.
Mamdani’s victory,however,is expected to be met with resistance.According to analysis, attempts at economic and financial sabotage are likely, as the American political establishment – encompassing both Republican and Democratic factions – has a vested interest in maintaining control and preventing effective governance. Even former President Donald Trump publicly urged New Yorkers to vote against Mamdani, backing his primary opponent, former Governor Andrew Cuomo. with Mamdani in office, a surprising convergence is anticipated, with Trumpian populism and customary Democratic orthodoxy finding common ground in their efforts to undermine his governance, potentially even through measures like deploying the National Guard under the guise of an “emergency” declaration.
This moment demands both action and strategic reflection. The United States is undergoing a transition from a two-party system to a more fragmented landscape comprised of orthodox Republicans,orthodox Democrats,alt-right populists,and democratic socialists. The emergence of new coalitions that transcend traditional partisan lines is forcing issues to the surface.
Supporters of Sanders recognise this dynamic, understanding that a fundamental reinvention of American political life is now necessary. Mamdani’s success, they argue, mirrors Trump’s in that he articulated a clear, radical vision without attempting to appeal to centrists. However, these four political forces operate on different planes. The traditional parties are hampered by inertia and a lack of compelling vision, while Trumpian populism and democratic socialism represent genuine political movements.In this context, the most meaningful choice is increasingly framed as a binary one: Trump or a democratic socialist.
This raises the question of whether democratic socialists shoudl formally separate from the Democratic Party. A strategy of “principled pragmatism” is advisable – focusing on core objectives while remaining open to any opportunities that advance those goals. This means embracing electoral democracy when it proves effective, but also being prepared to utilize popular mobilization and, when necessary, more radical tactics.
The recent attempt by Elon Musk to launch the “America Party” after a falling out with Trump exemplifies this challenge. Musk, ineligible to run for president due to his citizenship, sought to surpass Trump by prioritizing techno-feudalism over populism, but the project ultimately failed to gain traction. In contrast, the new left-wing party led by zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn in the United Kingdom shows potential, with polls indicating that around a third of young people and Labor voters are considering switching their allegiance. However, internal disputes remain a concern.
A meaningful election in the UK could pit Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform UK against the new left,with the Labour Party and Conservatives relegated to the sidelines. While Farage is predicted to win,as Boris Johnson did against Corbyn in 2019,Corbyn’s brief control of Labour demonstrated the establishment’s vulnerability.
Ultimately, there are no easy answers. sometimes,capturing a dominant force is the best strategy; other times,division is necessary. Mamdani’s decision to remain within the democratic Party was astute, allowing him to mobilize the party’s base against the establishment. A solo confrontation with the other three forces would likely have resulted in defeat.
Following his victory, Mamdani must prioritize gaining control of the New York State Democratic Party, forging alliances with democratic socialists nationwide, and subtly appealing to the working-class and farming communities who previously supported Trump but are now disillusioned. The future of his project lies in attracting disappointed Trump voters, not courting the inert center.Only a radical leftist can effectively connect with this electorate, whose distrust of the establishment remains justified.
Slavoj Žižek, Professor of Beliefs at the European Graduate School, is the author of Christian Atheism: How to Be a Real Materialist (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024).
Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2025. www.project-syndicate.org
