Mayor Mamdani’s Year One Begins Now
Mayor Zohran Mamdani takes office in New York City today. The Left now has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build a socialist movement that could stretch across not only the city and the country but the world.
20816 Article(s) by: Abigail Torre
Abigail Torre grew up in Chile and now lives in Berkeley, California where she is cochair of the East Bay chapter of Democratic Socialists of America.
Zohran’s Mayoralty Can Advance the Cause of Socialism
Beyond his marquee campaign promises on affordability, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the movement behind him have the opportunity to expand popular participation in politics and push for reforms that democratize economic life.
The Unlovable Ping-Pong Wizard of Marty Supreme
Josh Safdie’s Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as an obnoxious, nerdy young 1950s ping-pong hustler who somehow cons everyone around him. It’s flashy, fast, and made with so much talent it’s a shame they forgot to make much of a case for Marty’s appeal.
Zohran Mamdani Wants You to Do More Than Survive
A democratic socialist will be inaugurated mayor tomorrow because he told New Yorkers they deserve it all — love, leisure, pleasure, sport.
Avatar: Fire and Ash Cannot Be Stopped — Don’t Even Try
Avatar: Fire and Ash is not a good movie. But with its massive box office success, Big Jim Cameron is undeniably giving the people what they want. And what they want is skimpily dressed giant blue aliens.
Books Jacobin Loved in 2025
This year was a depressing one for politics, but it produced books that were ambitious and serious attempts to understand the present. From novels about millennial ennui to sweeping histories of the West, 2025 had a lot to offer to readers.
A Guide to the Big Left and Labor Fights in 2026
An essential part of ringing in the New Year will be preparing for the major political struggles of 2026. Here’s a month-by-month roundup of the key union fights, elections, and other events of note for the Left.
Building Trades Unions Rally Against Trump’s Attacks on Wind
Construction unions are making clear that offshore wind is a win for workers and the environment. Donald Trump’s repeated attempts to block it are just another front in his war on workers.
Zohran’s Millionaire Tax Will Raise Revenue
Worries about an exodus of millionaires from New York City are not supported by economics.
For Nicolas Sarkozy, Far-Right Rule Is Tolerable
France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy has called on his allies to stop demonizing Marine Le Pen. It’s part of a broader shift in establishment conservatism toward open collaboration with her far-right party.
Keeping Power Utilities in Corporate Hands Doesn’t Make Sense
A new study shows that socialist plans to take over the privately owned power utility in New York’s Hudson Valley would lower rates for users and improve its long-term health. Public ownership of power companies is better for everyone but the rich.
The Health Care Crisis Is Gobbling Up the Economy
Health care spending now represents about 18% of the US economy, meaning that roughly one out of every five dollars spent goes toward health care costs — more than what Americans spend on groceries or housing. The spending is driving massive medical debt.
Now That He Has No Power, Mitt Romney Says “Tax the Rich”
Mitt Romney recently published a New York Times op-ed arguing for higher taxes on the rich. When he was in a position to actually sculpt the GOP platform and the tax policy of the US, Romney was an ardent supporter of cutting taxes for the wealthy.
OSHA Wants to Cancel Protections for “Inherently Risky” Work
Donald Trump’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration wants to exclude “inherently risky professions,” including those in sports and entertainment, from basic workplace safety protections. The rollback could affect hundreds of thousands of workers.
When the Sewer Socialists Struggled for Racial Equality
Critics of the American sewer socialists often point to racist statements made by their leading light, Wisconsin’s Victor Berger. A close examination of his writings shows that those views changed dramatically over time.
The Real Reason We’re All Annoyed With Quentin Tarantino
With nothing but a new cut of Kill Bill to offer, Quentin Tarantino has gone into semiretirement right as American cinema is fighting for its very life. And to make matters worse, he won’t stop talking smack.
Capitalism and the Commodification of Nature
Good books offer new arguments, while excellent books pose new questions. Alyssa Battistoni’s Free Gifts, on the unfinished commodification of nature and care, is an excellent book.
The Revolutionary Roots of Social Democracy
Why was the revolutionary road out of capitalism abandoned for an evolutionary one? Vivek Chibber explores how socialist parties moved from revolution to reform, but why real progress will always mean a conflict with capital.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson Is Caught in a Trap
The challenges Chicago’s progressive mayor, Brandon Johnson, has faced demonstrate that Mayor Zohran Mamdani in New York will have to out-organize what’s soon to be a mighty opposition to his every move from finance, insurance, and real estate interests.
The Long History of Nativist Red-Baiting in the United States
As Donald Trump’s GOP grows more and more fanatically xenophobic and rabidly anti-socialist, it’s worth examining how the American right has long fused its hatred of both immigrants and radicals to carry out a larger reactionary program.