Introduction

Before the 2025 New York City Democratic mayoral primary, Zohran Mamdani was a relatively obscure figure in New York City politics. Afterward, his name became a fixture in conversations across the city's five boroughs. Serving as a member of the New York State Assembly from the 36th District since 2021, Mamdani made a surprising leap into the spotlight by defeating former Governor Andrew Cuomo—whose anticipated political comeback was abruptly halted. Mamdani’s decisive victory reflected the strong support of New York City's predominantly progressive electorate and effectively returned Cuomo, a once-prominent but scandal-ridden figure, to political exile.

Mamdani’s win also signaled a likely end to the embattled tenure of current mayor Eric Adams, who, having opted to run for re-election as an independent, did not participate in the Democratic primary. The embrace of Mamdani—a Ugandan-born Muslim Socialist of Indian descent—is particularly noteworthy given the lingering anti-Muslim sentiment in the U.S. following the events of 9/11. His success stands in stark contrast to right-wing calls for his defeat and even his expulsion from the country, criticisms rooted largely in his immigrant status, religious identity, and promotion of socialist policies.

While Mamdani’s push for socialist programs in an American city may seem radical to some, it is not without precedent. Though the United States is fundamentally a capitalist nation, it has long incorporated programs that reflect socialist principles, especially in areas of public welfare and infrastructure. Social Security, for instance, is a government-run redistribution system funded by payroll taxes to support elderly and disabled citizens. Other examples include public education, infrastructure (roads, bridges, utilities, and transit), farm subsidies, public parks, libraries, and emergency services such as police, fire, and EMS. These programs are not products of capitalism; rather, they represent social control and income distribution managed by government entities. While these initiatives do not make America a socialist country, they clearly demonstrate how socialist principles are embedded within its governance.

Freezing Rents

Recognizing the exorbitant cost of housing in New York City, Mamdani has proposed freezing rents on rent-stabilized apartments and expanding the development of "affordable housing" to address the ongoing crisis. These proposals reflect a core tenet of socialism: government regulation of wages and costs. At first glance, both ideas appear commendable, though the definition of “affordable” varies depending on each renter’s financial situation.

Still, the shortage of housing accessible to lower-income residents poses serious risks, exacerbates homelessness, and perpetuates cycles of poverty. At the same time, landlords must also meet their own basic needs—housing, food, and financial stability. If the city government restricts their potential earnings, landlords may struggle to maintain their properties, especially as inflation erodes their purchasing power. Over time, this could result in deteriorating buildings and unsafe living conditions, effectively turning once-stable housing into slums.

As an alternative to Mamdani’s rent freeze proposal, rent increases for stabilized units could be tied to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) used for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients—even if no such individuals reside in those units. This approach could serve as a fair cap, helping low-income tenants remain in their homes while allowing landlords to continue offering safe, affordable housing to underserved communities.

Free and Faster Buses

Mamdani has also championed city-funded free bus service for the public and faster transit routes. His plan includes eliminating fares on all city buses and improving travel times through expanded priority lanes, bus queue jump signals, and dedicated loading zones. However, these proposals overlook a critical obstacle: the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), which governs all aspects of New York City's transit system.

The MTA board comprises 21 members representing the five boroughs, surrounding counties, and various rider and labor groups. Of these, 14 are voting members—13 with individual votes and four who share a collective vote. Six additional representatives serve in non-voting roles. Appointments are made by the governor, the mayor, and county executives, with confirmation by the New York State Senate, where Mamdani currently serves. As mayor, Mamdani would have limited influence over the MTA and would be unable to unilaterally implement sweeping transit reforms.

Moreover, recent urban planning decisions have exacerbated congestion outside of the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan. Vehicle lanes have been reduced to accommodate bike paths and pedestrian zones, often in areas already well-served by sidewalks. These changes have slowed traffic citywide, including buses, which must now navigate narrower, more congested roads. Compounding the issue is the citywide speed limit of 25 miles per hour, which further restricts transit efficiency.

New York City’s commitment to mass transit has often been undermined by questionable decisions. For example, the High Line railway was converted into a park rather than repurposed for subway expansion to Manhattan’s far west side. Additionally, the implementation of a congestion tax penalizes drivers to fund subway maintenance—despite the tax being levied on motorists, not transit users.

Mamdani would inherit a transit system plagued by mismanagement and conflicting priorities. The MTA, along with state and city officials, has repeatedly diverted resources toward vanity projects rather than addressing core infrastructure needs. In this context, Mamdani’s bus reform proposals, while well-intentioned, may be unrealistic without a broader overhaul of the MTA itself.

City-Owned Grocery Stores

In response to rising costs of essential goods, Mamdani has proposed the establishment of city-owned grocery stores. These stores would operate rent- and tax-free, purchase goods at wholesale prices from centralized warehouses, and collaborate with local vendors to keep prices low. While this model reflects a hybrid of socialist and capitalist principles, it risks creating unfair competition for private businesses that must operate under market conditions, pay rent, and contribute tax revenue.

If city-owned stores undercut private grocers, especially in low-income neighborhoods, it could drive businesses out of these areas or out of the city entirely—resulting in lost jobs and diminished tax income for municipal services.

Minimum Wage Increase

Mamdani has also advocated raising New York City's minimum wage to $30 per hour by 2030. On its face, this proposal aims to provide fair compensation and stimulate economic activity through increased consumer spending. However, in an era defined by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and automation, such a wage hike could accelerate the replacement of human workers with machines. Businesses may respond by investing more heavily in technology to reduce labor costs, undermining the intended benefits of the wage increase. To counter this trend, government intervention would be necessary to regulate the extent to which technology can replace human labor—an ambitious and controversial undertaking that would require coordination across city, state, and federal levels.

Conclusion

Zohran Mamdani’s proposals are rooted in a sincere desire to uplift New Yorkers and address systemic inequalities. However, the practical challenges of implementing these reforms within a capitalist framework are substantial. Transforming New York City into a predominantly socialist municipality would require sweeping legislative changes and broad federal support. While many of Mamdani’s ideas are admirable in principle, their feasibility remains uncertain in the face of entrenched economic structures and political realities.

-TR