Beautiful Losers: Mamdani & The End of Socialism’s Losing Streak

In this episode of Breaking History, Eli Lake examines the rise of Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist of America (DSA) member, who is likely to become the next mayor of New York City. The episode explores the implications of Mamdani's potential victory, focusing on his political positions and the DSA's radical shift towards illiberal revolutionaries, particularly concerning its stance on Israel. Lake traces the history of American socialism, highlighting Michael Harrington's founding of the DSA and its subsequent embrace of more extreme ideologies, questioning whether the Democratic Party will follow a similar path by accommodating radical elements. The episode includes insights from various commentators, audio clips of Zohran Mamdani, and segments from DSA events, providing a comprehensive analysis of the potential impact of Mamdani's mayorship and the DSA's influence on American politics.