Mamdani asserts that “Trump [is] padding the pockets of the rich at the expense of working people.” He promotes the common socialist assertion that the free market leads to the rich getting richer, and the poor necessarily getting poorer. Yet, as the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. A truly free market enriches the rich, and the poor! Socialism destroys wealth through government inefficiency and confiscation, making everyone poorer (except political leaders).

The recent New York City mayoral victory of self-identified socialist Zohran Mamdani highlights the false, yet enticing, hope of socialism. Winning a dominant 50.4% of the vote in a three-way race, Mamdani’s electoral victory provides further evidence of a renewed embrace of socialism in the United States. According to a recent Cato Institute/YouGov survey, a majority of Americans between the ages of 18–29 hold a favorable view of socialism. 

Mamdani identifies as a democratic socialist, and the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) endorsed him. The DSA defines socialism as the ability to “collectively own the key economic drivers that dominate our lives.” What this means in practice is that government dominates the lives of citizens through control of key industries, transportation networks, and health services (among other things).

Christians should reject the rotten hope offered by Mamdani because socialism distracts the state from its God-ordained role, causes harm to the most vulnerable, and fosters envy.

Socialism’s Social Rottenness

Two key passages help us understand the God-given purpose of government—Romans 13:1–7 and 1 Peter 2:13–17. The Bible limits the role of the state to maintaining order. It is “God’s servant for your good . . . an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong” (Rom. 13:4, CSB). It is “to punish those who do what is evil and to praise those who do what is good” (1 Pet. 2:14, CSB). One cannot use these verses to justify “collective” (i.e. government) ownership of key industries.

Socialism’s expansive goals distract the state from its rightful role. Resources that could be used to achieve its God-ordained purpose are redirected to other ends. The increased crime in cities characterized by socialist-adjacent policies (expanded welfare, subsidized housing, etc.) proves that a distracted government leads to more crime. 

In 2020, Mamdani repeatedly tweeted anti-police vitriol including the assertion that “the NYPD is racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety.” In the same tweet, he called for defunding the police. He claims to have reconsidered his previous comments. Yet, one wonders whether, with such a past, he will provide the necessary resources to the NYPD.

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