The Zohran Mamdani method can work beyond New York. Take the fight to the right | Aditya Chakrabortty
In a thought-provoking analysis, Zohran Mamdani’s journey into politics and socialism serves as a lens through which to examine the shifting dynamics of American political discourse. Forged in the tumultuous era of Donald Trump, Mamdani’s political awakening was catalyzed by Bernie Sanders’ 2016 presidential campaign, which laid bare the discontent brewing among the American populace. Following the recent election of Trump II, Mamdani took to the streets of the Bronx, engaging directly with voters to understand their motivations for supporting a figure who embodies the very antithesis of progressive values. The film documenting these conversations not only captures the raw emotions of the constituents but also highlights the disillusionment many feel towards traditional politicians, whom they see as disconnected from their realities.
Mamdani’s approach starkly contrasts with the polished, often insincere tactics of centrist politicians like Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, who have historically favored “listening exercises” held in opulent settings. Instead, Mamdani stands on street corners, actively engaging with his community in an authentic manner that resonates deeply with their struggles. He listens to their stories of economic hardship and the rising costs of living, revealing a populace that feels neglected and marginalized by the political establishment. This grassroots engagement underscores a crucial point: when politics fails to address the everyday challenges faced by ordinary people, it fosters a sense of failure among those who are supposed to represent them. Mamdani’s candid dialogues are a reminder of the urgent need for politicians to reconnect with the very constituents they serve, moving beyond rhetoric and toward genuine action that addresses the systemic issues affecting their lives.
As Mamdani’s narrative unfolds, it raises important questions about the future of political engagement in America. The stark contrast between his grassroots approach and the more conventional methods of the political elite emphasizes the necessity for a new kind of dialogue—one that prioritizes authenticity and community connection over polished platitudes. In an era where many feel disillusioned with traditional politics, Mamdani’s story serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the power of listening and the potential for real change when politicians dare to step outside their comfort zones and engage directly with the voices of their constituents.
For too long, the centre has been adopting the language of the right but deploying it with greater civility – to disastrous ends
Zohran Mamdani was forged in the era of Donald Trump. He came to socialism through watching Bernie Sanders run for the US presidency in 2016, in the contest that ultimately gave us Trump I. Last November, a few days after the election of Trump II, he asked voters why they’d backed
that guy
. The conversations prepared Mamdani in his battle for New York, and the
film of them
reveals so much about the politics of this era that it repays watching.
Those of us schooled in the tactics of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair might roll our eyes at yet another “listening exercise”, starring a powerbroker and his retinue in some beautifully lit hall, but this is no such thing. Here stands an unknown on a street corner in the Bronx, waving a placard as doughtily as a Seventh-Day Adventist. Rather than read off a Rolodex of platitudes, this politician sees his public – some of whom look a little like him, yet whose faces and bodies are etched with the strains of the city. Never having spoken to power, even a lowly state assemblyman such as Mamdani, they talk of lives made smaller and shorter in an economy where the daily basics are too costly. Politics has failed them, so they consider politicians to be failures.
Aditya Chakrabortty is a Guardian columnist
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