In recent years, the idea of “socialism” has been gaining ground in American politics. The most prominent and successful avatar of that is Zohran Mamdani, who became the mayor of New York City in January. What does It mean to be a socialist and why do many young people have a more favorable view of socialism than capitalism?

A Democratic Socialist alderwoman from Chicago, members of Democratic Socialists of America in Northern Illinois and a historian discuss applying socialist policies in both big and small cities as well as some of the negative ideas some may have of socialism. 

GUESTS

Rossana Rodríguez Sánchez 
Alderwoman, 33rd Ward, Chicago City Council

Ricky Newcomb 
Co-Chair, Quad Cities Democratic Socialists of America

Dave Rathke 
Executive Board Member, Northern Illinois Democratic Socialists of America
Founding Member, Democratic Socialists of America

Andrew Hartman 
Distinguished Professor of History, Illinois State University
Author, “Karl Marx in America”