McGowan: Marx and the Mayor
by Richard McGowan, Ph.D.
For people who are uncertain about whether the mayor of New York is indeed a socialist, and a Marxist at that, it is worth reading his inaugural address in light of the “measures” Marx proposed at the end of The Communist Manifesto’s section II and other scattered ideas. Of course, parallels exist from the first sentence of Mayor Mamdani’s address: “To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this — no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives.”
The sentence suggests that “City Hall” knows what’s best for the lives of New York City’s people. As Marx put it, “Communists . . . have over the great mass of the proletariat the advantage of clearly understanding the lines of march.” Marx here established the theme of Lenin’s ‘Vanguard Party,’ in which Lenin asserted that the leaders of his socialist movement were in the know — the peasants and workers needed their guidance. Did “City Hall” replace the Vanguard Party? It certainly appears to be the mayor’s aspiration.
Mamdani also said that “for too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public.” Marx’s first proposal is the “Abolition of property in land and application of all rents of land to public purposes.” He would have rent control on steroids. Mamdani, I could note, sees that the improvement of human existence lies in the hands of government, not entrepreneurs — historical evidence notwithstanding.
For him, the public sector, that is, the state, is more reliable. Marx thought the same thing, too. Marx proposed “centralization of credit in the hands of the state, by means of a national bank with state capital and an exclusive monopoly.” Marx also proposed “centralization of the means of communication and transport in the hands of the state.”
Or, to put it in the words of the NYC mayor, “Getting on a bus without worrying about a fare hike or whether you’ll be late to your destination will no longer be deemed a small miracle — because we will make buses fast and free.” Was Mayor Mamdani channeling Marx down to the cost of a bus fare? It seems so.
Marx also proposed “Free education for all children in public schools.” Mamdani’s analog”: The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family — because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few.” The proposal of universal childcare intimates that non-family persons will take care of the kids. The thought is consistent with Marx’s proposal for the “Abolition of the family” as stated in the Communist Manifesto.
Marx expected “class distinctions” to disappear. The mayor blasted class distinctions: “For much of our history, the response from City Hall has been simple: it belongs only to the wealthy and well-connected, those who never strain to capture the attention of those in power.” In Mamdani’s mind, “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.” An online definition of collectivism: “the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it.” An individual matters little compared to the steamroller of the state.
Marx thought class distinction could be eradicated, much like Mamdani, and believed that it was possible to sweep “away the conditions for the existence of class antagonisms and classes generally.”
Against this view, we may observe the world, including socialist countries, perhaps especially Marxist countries. We’d see that “the poor will always be among us.” (Matthew 26.11, Mark 14.7, John 12.8) and the counsel therein is that the poor be treated virtuously.
However, as long as the Politburo, Central Committee and the New York City Mayor’s Office exist, some will have more power and freedom to exert their will than others. For instance, Mamdani will live in Gracie Mansion, while others might live in cramped quarters. After all, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”
Richard McGowan, Ph.D., an adjunct scholar of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation, has taught philosophy and ethics cores for more than 40 years, most recently at Butler University. He is a native New Yorker.
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