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Bernard Chan

The election of Zohran Mamdani as New York’s mayor has drawn worldwide attention, resonating well beyond US borders. His self-description as a “democratic socialist” has reignited familiar debates, sparking curiosity and concern.
Critics have labelled him a communist and portrayed his political programme as a radical departure from the American mainstream. Meanwhile, supporters view his victory as a sign of a generational shift – a growing impatience with the inequalities present in many areas.
However, viewing Mamdani’s victory in isolation ignores the broader social and economic factors involved. His success, according to US media polling reports, was driven by strong support among voters aged 18 to 44 and among communities of colour. His victory reflects nationwide unease rather than just a local trend.
More broadly, it reflects a widespread desire for fairer systems to tackle challenges that are neither new nor unique to the US: stagnant wages, unaffordable housing and rising inequality. These same issues resonate across major cities, from London to Seoul, prompting many observers to revisit how markets, governments and social structures impact the lives of citizens.
In the US, the debate over “democratic socialism” is often muddled by attempts to equate it with 20th century command economies. To some, Mamdani’s call to reform triggers old anxieties about excessive government control and expanding bureaucracy.
However, the model that has arguably most influenced Mamdani is inspired by social democracies like Denmark or Sweden, which blend competitive markets with extensive welfare systems. Their approach emphasises inclusion without sacrificing efficiency, aiming to ensure that prosperity supports broader social goals.

A deeper challenge in the US lies within its political structures. The heavy reliance on private funds to finance elections has created a system where candidates frequently answer to donors as much as to voters. Over time, this has diminished public trust and increased scepticism towards traditional leadership. The frustration resulting from this imbalance has driven a desire among voters for alternative visions of governance, seeking fairness and accountability.
This pursuit of political and economic balance is hardly unique to the US. Across the globe, societies face the same challenge: how to reconcile growth with fairness amid rising costs, demographic changes and rapid technological progress. Governments are re-evaluating the limits between state intervention and market forces.
Few places illustrate this more clearly than China, where over four decades of reforms have reshaped the relationship between the state and the market. During this period, China has shifted from a centrally planned economy to what it calls a “socialist market economy”. The government sets the overall direction for development, while market competition fosters innovation, investment and productivity. The reform and opening-up policies were implemented gradually and deliberately as part of a modernisation process aimed at delivering sustained improvements in living standards.
The results have been remarkable. During that period, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, an achievement which has been lauded as unmatched in human history. It has built a technologically advanced economy, promoted a thriving private sector and established the second-largest group of billionaires in the world, alongside a middle class generally estimated to be around 400 million people.

The coexistence of state-owned and private enterprises continues to support the Chinese economy, but the environment is complex. Market forces drive aspects of competitiveness and innovation, while state strategy guides long-term projects.
These tensions have revealed structural and social pressures, such as “involution”, a cycle of exhausting competition that stifles creativity. In response, policymakers are prioritising “high-quality development”, focusing on social stability, sustainable growth and environmental protection.
Central to this new strategy is the pursuit of “common prosperity”, which aims to reduce inequality, ensure that economic benefits reach all sectors of society, promote equitable growth and integrate environmental protection into national planning.
Back in New York, Mamdani faces a familiar dilemma: how to fund his ambitious goals amid tightening fiscal constraints and partisan resistance in Washington.


The policies that Mamdani’s administration develops – on housing, taxation, welfare and infrastructure – will be closely monitored not only domestically but also in cities around the world grappling with similar crises of affordability, trust and social cohesion. His success or failure will influence perceptions of whether today’s democracies can still achieve tangible progress in an era of increasing inequality and political fatigue.
From New York to Beijing, the underlying question remains the same: how to build systems that reward initiative and innovation while ensuring that everyone shares the benefits of growth. That conversation will determine the resilience and adaptability of governance models worldwide.


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United States

Why Zohran Mamdani’s New York election win resonates beyond the US

Zohran Mamdani, then Democratic candidate for New York mayor, performs tai chi while campaigning at a senior centre in Manhattan’s Lower East Side neighborhood on October 31.  Photo: Reuters 

Election campaign posters are seen as people walk along the street in Copenhagen, Denmark, on October 11, 2022, ahead of the general elections on November 1, 2022. Photo: AFP

Students read in a primary school classroom in Xianghe, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on June 19, 2015. Photo: AFP

Zohran Mamdani elected New York City mayor, capping stunning rise

Zohran Mamdani gives his victory speech in New York. Photo: AP

Zohran Mamdani’s supporters celebrate in New York. Photo: AP

Former New York governor and independent candidate Andrew Cuomo after losing. Photo: Reuters

Zohran Mamdani celebrates with his wife Rama Duwaji after winning the mayoral race. Photo: Reuters

In Malaysia, Madani-Mamdani mix-up goes viral after New York mayor’s win

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani meets  reporters during a conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Thursday. Photo: AP

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks during a Madani Unity Tour lecture in 2023. Photo: Bernama/dpa

A group of Malay, Chinese and Indian Malaysians. The country has a multiracial make-up. Photo: Shutterstock

Ugandan-born Mamdani’s New York win sparks hope for political change in African country

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani delivers a speech following his victory in the New York City mayoral race. Photo: dpa

Ugandan opposition leader and singer Bobi Wine congratulated Mamdani for his mayoral victory. Photo: Reuters

Zohran Mamdani reacts next to his parents Mahmood Mamdani (right) and Mira Nair (left) and wife Rama Duwaji (second from right) during a watch party for his primary election in June. Photo: Reuters

Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, 81, in power for almost four decades, has rejected calls to retire. Photo: AP

In India, a celebration for Zohran Mamdani’s New York mayoral win and his roots

New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and his mother Mira Nair wave to the crowd during an election night party in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Photo: EPA

People cheer as New York Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani takes the stage at his election night watch party in Brooklyn on Tuesday. Photo: AFP

Mayor-elect Mamdani unveils all-woman team as he prepares to ‘Trump-proof’ New York

New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani and (from left) Transition Executive Director, Elana Leopold, Transition Co-chairs, Melanie Hartzog, Maria Torres-Springer, and Grace Bonilla arrive for a press conference in Queens on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

New York Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani’s transition co-chair Lina Khan speaks during a press conference at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Former New York governor and independent candidate for New York City mayor Andrew Cuomo reacts at his election night rally after losing to Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani. Photo: Reuters

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As cities grapple with high living costs, Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflects the global challenge of reconciling growth with fairness and accountability


As cities grapple with high living costs, Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflects the global challenge of reconciling growth with fairness and accountability.


Zohran Mamdani

New York

US Politics

40 years of reform and opening up

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Why Zohran Mamdani’s New York election win resonates beyond the US

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}As cities grapple with high living costs, Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflects the global challenge of reconciling growth with fairness and accountability

As cities grapple with high living costs, Mamdani’s mayoral campaign reflects the global challenge of reconciling growth with fairness and accountability