Several people write in this morning's thread that New York's newly elected mayor, Zohran Mamdani, is in every conceivable way a Social Democrat.
Well.
I hope not, but then again, I don't actually know.
But perhaps our good friend Mette Frederiksen would do us the service of explaining whether this is Social Democratic policy we should expect in the near future?
I list a series of areas below, with the differences as I understand them -
...
VIEW OF CAPITALISM
Social Democracy: Accepts capitalism, wants to regulate the market.
Mamdani: Has publicly supported movements like "Abolish Capitalism," which seek to abolish capitalism, not merely regulate it.
...
PROPERTY RIGHTS
Social Democracy: Private property rights are the foundation of the economy.
Mamdani: Has proposed nationalizing private property (including housing). That is. The State should physically own what citizens live in.
...
ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT
Social Democracy: Is based on market economy + competition + taxation.
Mamdani: Proposes planned economy measures, where the State should control or own sectors rather than regulate them.
...
TAXATION AND REDISTRIBUTION
Social Democracy: Wants heavy taxation to finance welfare.
Mamdani: Taxation is used as an ideological tool against private wealth. It's not about welfare first - but redistribution first.
...
IMMIGRATION
Social Democracy: Pursues an increasingly strict line regarding mass immigration and (religious) parallel societies.
Mamdani: Is pro-open borders, anti-border control, anti-police surveillance and sees restrictions as expressions of so-called "structural racism".
...
VIEW OF THE STATE
Social Democracy: The State is the framework setter.
Mamdani: The State should be the owner and operator. Which in Danish means from a mechanism that "regulates the market" to "replaces the market".
...
RELATIONSHIP TO THE POLICE
Social Democracy: The police are a necessary institution, it should be reformed if we experience problems with its structure, function or practice.
Mamdani: Has supported the "abolish / defund the police" movement and wants to cut police dramatically and shift funds to social programs.
...
NATIONAL IDENTITY
Social Democracy: National and cultural cohesion is important (especially in recent years). A movement that, if they want continued high vote counts, will increase.
Mamdani: Is identity-politically progressive, and sees national cohesion as a "power structure".
...
CITIZEN RESPONSIBILITY
Social Democracy: Duties + rights = binding community.
Mamdani: Rights without corresponding demands for participation or integration.
...
Right, so then.
In my conclusion, Mamdani doesn't just lie to the left of Social Democracy.
He lies OUTSIDE Social Democracy on by far the most significant areas - and inside a system-overturning socialist / communist ideological half of the field.
You're welcome to disagree with that.
But perhaps someone - based on the above - and if Mette doesn't take the time to either embrace or reject the differences - some of you can explain to us how this fits with being a Social Democrat?
