Just Asking Questions Rob Henderson: Why Elites Still Worship Socialism
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Aug 7, 2025 
Rob Henderson, author of "Troubled" and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, debates the concept of luxury beliefs—ideas that upscale society champions while others bear the costs. He delves into the allure of socialism among the educated elite, the political rise of figures like Zohran Mamdani, and the clash between cultural expectations and economic realities. Henderson also explores how marriage impacts financial success, critiques the romanticization of socialism, and reveals the complexities of social class in modern America.
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Mamdani and Luxury Beliefs Appeal
- Zoran Mamdani appeals to the luxury belief class by adopting woke, socialist rhetoric familiar to upper middle class elites.
- His family background and Ivy League-like environment reinforce his alignment with these elite, fashionable views.
Luxury Beliefs vs. Populist Socialism
- There is a distinction between socialist politicians who appeal to working class and those who embody luxury beliefs.
- Mamdani combines extreme socialist economics with identity politics, representing a problematic synthesis rarely supported broadly.
Intra-Elite Conflict Drives Politics
- Much political strife stems from intra-elite competition rather than simple rich-vs-poor divide.
- Upper middle class New Yorkers face fierce competition, which fuels desires to upend current systems.
