ThePrint Opinion POD: The meaning of Zohran Mamdani's rise: Globalisation failed to lift all boats
Jul 3, 2025
Ashutosh Varshney, a renowned political science professor at Brown University, discusses Zohran Mamdani's groundbreaking victory in New York's Democratic primary. The conversation highlights Mamdani's innovative campaign tactics, particularly his engagement with social media to resonate with diverse groups. Varshney explores the rise of left populism and its implications for the Democratic Party. He also delves into globalization's political effects, examining how elite interests interact with populist movements in the modern landscape.
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Mamdani's Diverse Background
- Zohran Mamdani has an Indian-origin background with a filmmaker mother and a father who is a professor studying colonialism's impact on Africa.
- His diverse family history connects to his broader understanding of colonial and global issues.
Social Media Drive Win
- Mamdani's campaign used creative social media methods, including TikTok and multilingual videos.
- This strategy was effective in engaging younger voters and New York's diverse ethnic groups.
Left Populism Policy Focus
- Mamdani’s policy focuses on affordability for working masses funded by taxing the rich.
- This approach is an example of left-wing populism, unlike the right populism seen elsewhere.