It’s more that Americans were spared the worst of the effects of imperialism exploitation because imperialism needs a stable base of operations. If conditions were as bad in the US as they are in other parts of the world there would be revolts and the whole system would collapse.

Even if he’s being disingenuous or ignorant when self identifying as a socialist, I don’t really care. What matters is that his actions do not align with any realistic path towards socialism.

This is what happens when you commit to reforming an irreformable system. For Mamdani not to be thrown out of office he has to play ball and do shit like this. That puts him in the awkward spot of defending things he actively campaigned against. This kind of hypocrisy will leave his base of support feeling jaded and demoralized which in turn leaves him without the political leverage he needs to enact progressive policy. All that will be left for him to do is more compromise.

That’s why I think any self described socialist running for office in the US has to be ready to play the role of an intransigent advocate for the disaffected. They have to be that stick in the mud that will not give in even if it means the powers that be try to destroy them. That’s doesn’t mean they have to neglect all the duties of the office or even be much of a firebrand. However, it’s the only way I think you can maintain the trust and enthusiasm of the working class people from whom you derive your power.

Too often I see self described socialists making the mistake of thinking that’s it’s the political office they hold which gives them power. In a political system designed for capitalism the tools at their disposal will almost never suit their purposes as a socialists.

So instead of using sweeps to keep the business class happy and at bay, Mamdani should be at the doorstep of every single real estate investment firm in the city making it readily apparent whose at fault for this humanitarian crisis. He should be highlighting the need for tenants unions, ending sweeps, supporting rent strikes, and ordering moratoriums on evictions until the city or state actually do something to end homelessness. He must be willing to make enemies of the wealthy business elite, the people who are the natural enemies of the working class.

If he can’t do that then it doesn’t matter how sincere he is about being a socialist. He’ll be nothing more than a bump in the road for a system that intends to consume us all.

They refuse to campaign on popular policies even when it increases their chances of losing because it doing otherwise would anger their donors. They know it might cause them to lose. It’s purposeful. What else do you call that?