Conversations With Coleman Can Socialism Ever Really Work? w/ Bhaskar Sunkara
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Sep 15, 2025 
Bhaskar Sunkara, the founding editor of Jacobin magazine and author of The Socialist Manifesto, dives deep into the realm of democratic socialism. He discusses the practicality of socialism amidst America's affordability crisis, emphasizing the need for rent controls. The conversation touches on the intriguing challenges of the populist left, identity politics, and the role of unions in advocating for workers' rights. Sunkara also sheds light on New York City’s housing complexities, especially in relation to mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's approach to tackling urban issues.
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Origin Story Of A Young Socialist
- Bhaskar Sunkara became a socialist at 17 and built Jacobin to pursue politics through writing.
- He later became president of The Nation and specializes in magazine publishing.
Democracy First Framing
- Sunkara prefers the label 'democratic socialist' to emphasize commitment to democracy.
- He stresses distinguishing democratic socialism from authoritarian socialist traditions.
Marxism As A Useful Framework
- Sunkara identifies as a Marxist who finds Marxism a useful analytical framework.
- He accepts modern economics tools and says Marxism need not reject marginalist methods.
