1Dime Radio Liberalism in Decay (Ft. Catherine Liu)
Nov 22, 2025
Catherine Liu, a professor at UC Irvine and author of "Virtue Hoarders," dives into the implications of Zohran Mamdani's political victory and what it reveals about modern leftist strategies. She critiques liberalism as a decaying ideology and examines the rise of trauma culture, linking it to political and moral shifts in America. Liu also discusses the complexities of identity politics, the intersection of feminism and capitalism, and challenges around current parenting practices—all while providing sharp cultural and political insights.
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Populist Coalition Energized Youth
- Zohran Mamdani built a cross-class, cross-ethnicity coalition that energized huge youth turnout in NYC.
- Catherine Liu sees his campaign as a net positive that normalized concrete populist demands like rent control.
Savvy Campaign Over Performativity
- Mamdani learned tactical lessons from Sanders and the Squad but avoided performative 'gotcha' stunts.
- He pivoted from culture-war traps to housing and working-class struggles, which resonated with voters.
Translate Wins Into Policy Gains
- Celebrate wins like Mamdani's but scrutinize long-term implications rather than hype.
- Use electoral victories to push durable policies like rent control and housing reforms.
