The Left in the Heart of Capitalism: The Return of Socialism to New York
The Left in the Heart of Capitalism: The Return of Socialism to New York
According to IranGate News Agency, New York, the financial capital of the world, is currently a battleground between the long-standing legacy of capitalism and the resurgence of socialist ideas.
As Zohran Mamdani, an Indian-born Muslim socialist politician, begins his campaign for the mayoral seat, a review of history shows that this city has previously hosted numerous movements for justice. From the early days of socialism in the 19th century to figures like George Lunn, the main question observers are asking now is whether New York is once again on the brink of a new era of social policy.
New York and the Historical Roots of Socialism in the Capital of Capital
For decades, New York has been recognized as the financial and capitalist center of the world. Thus, the entry of Zohran Mamdani, a socialist politician, into the race for the city’s mayoral position has sparked a wave of reactions, initially disbelief followed by widespread criticism and opposition from mainstream U.S. media.
For the younger generation of New Yorkers, the days when this city provided a livable space for the middle class, workers, and low-income groups — when free education, home buying, and cheap public transportation were possible — are now a distant memory. However, New York’s tumultuous history contains narratives that explain why a significant portion of citizens have welcomed this young Muslim politician with Asian roots and a focus on justice.
The First Sparks of Socialism in the Megacity of New York
New York, as a city with a diverse mix of European immigrants and industrial workers, became familiar with the idea of socialism from the late 19th century.
At that time, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, Germans, and Italians who migrated to the United States following the 1848 European revolutions, known as the Spring of Nations, brought with them new ideas of social and labor justice.
Although these revolutions were mainly bourgeois in origin, they highlighted the gap between the working class and the wealthy class. Immigrants who settled in New York carried these experiences and laid the groundwork for the spread of socialist thought.
In 1851, Joseph Weydemeyer, a German publisher and close associate of Karl Marx who participated in the 1848 German revolution, migrated to America and settled in New York. He immediately established two German-language socialist newspapers and eight years later launched the publication ‘Die Reform,’ which became the organ of the American Workers’ Party.
Marx regarded Weydemeyer as one of his most loyal and capable collaborators and described him as the most serious representative of Marx and Engels’ ideas in America.
The Transfer of the First International to New York
The International Workingmen’s Association, or the First International, founded in London in 1864, was the first global labor organization aimed at coordinating socialist and labor movements.
From the start, this organization faced ideological differences. Marxists, led by Marx and Engels, emphasized class organization and political struggle, while anarchists, led by Mikhail Bakunin, prioritized federalism and direct action.
These differences peaked at the Hague and Geneva congresses, and ultimately, after expelling the anarchists, Marx and Engels proposed relocating the headquarters to New York, a city with potential for growth due to the presence of immigrant workers and supporters of Marx, including Weydemeyer and Adolph Sorge.
In September 1872, the Hague Congress agreed to this proposal, and on November 28 of the same year, the first General Council meeting was held in New York. Although Marx and Engels did not personally visit America, they supervised activities from afar and published the ‘International Herald.’
Despite initial hopes, a lack of financial resources and scattered labor communities led to the dissolution of the First International in 1876. Marx described this experience as necessary but bitter. Nonetheless, its legacy remained as a foundation for labor movements in New York and across the United States.
Shortly thereafter, followers of Ferdinand Lassalle, a German socialist thinker, arrived in New York, turning the city into one of the main centers of socialism in America.
Retracing a Path from George Lunn to Zohran Mamdani
Some political analysts see Zohran Mamdani as a continuation of George Lunn’s path. Although Lunn is recognized as one of the prominent figures of socialism in New York State, many believe his ideals ultimately faced failure.
This background has led some American media to view Mamdani’s campaign with skepticism and suggest that he might face similar challenges.
George Lunn joined the Socialist Party in 1911 at the age of 38 and ran for the mayoralty of Schenectady. At that time, electing a socialist in an industrial city in northern New York was unprecedented.
However, the popularity of the Socialist Party during those years helped him garner significant support among Italian and Eastern European immigrants.
Although it is still early to compare Lunn and Mamdani, both share similarities in terms of oratory skills and influence among the people. Both have managed to convey their messages to the urban audience, in a city considered the economic engine of America, through direct community engagement.
New York: A Battleground of Ideas and Interests
New York controls over 9% of the U.S. economy, and its economic output surpasses that of many countries, including Canada. This city has always been at the center of political and economic decision-making in the United States.
From Donald Trump to Steve Witkoff, many influential figures in the country’s political and economic structure were born in New York. Thus, for economic elites tied to capitalist values, accepting a figure like Zohran Mamdani — a Muslim, Indian-born, and socialist politician — is not easy.
Nevertheless, the city faces structural challenges. The wealthiest 1% of New York residents contribute over 40% of the city’s personal taxes, yet job growth and new opportunities have been limited.
The cost of living for ordinary citizens has sharply increased. Housing rent in New York is more than double the average in the 50 other major U.S. cities. Childcare costs about $26,000 a year, and transportation expenses also place an additional burden on families.
Before the 1970s, New York was more of a cultural and social city than a symbol of Wall Street, where one could enjoy theaters, museums, and public universities for free. However, economic policies in the following decades, especially during Gerald Ford’s era, transformed the city’s social structure. Now, socialists hope Mamdani can reduce the influence of the wealthy class by reforming urban policies and restore some social justice and public access to services. This narrative, not from the perspective of agreement or disagreement, but as a historical and analytical report on the long-standing connection between socialism and New York, seeks to examine Zohran Mamdani’s place in continuing this intellectual and political path, a path that has shaped part of America’s social history from the 19th century to today.