Is the So-Called Radical Left Really Radical?

Recent election wins by more left-leaning candidates have sent shock waves through both republican and democratic power structures.  The republicans are delighted, as this offers them the time-tested ‘socialism’ bogeyman to use as a scare tactic in the midterms.  The democrats are anxious that the new, more strident wing of their party might alienate independents or middle-of-the-roaders.

But what are the actual issues and policies that motivate these ‘radical left’ candidates, and are they really radical at all given the current state of our economy and country?  The first alarm bells go off with the use of the label ‘democratic socialist’ by New York City’s mayor Mamdani and many others.  This term strikes terror into the hearts of those Americans who have been conditioned to associate the world socialist with Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea and other failed authoritarian states.  

Socialism is primarily an economic concept that postulates full ownership of industry by the state.  It has long been abandoned by serious politicians.  But the term ‘democratic socialist’ implies a democratic political system that uses government effectively to smooth the rough edges of capitalism and ensure a more egalitarian and benevolent society.

It is true that many of the new left are strongly advocating more aggressive redistribution of wealth and income in our society.  But given the gilded age levels of wealth disparity, the growing national debt and the heavy economic burdens that lower-middle working-class families bear, can there really be any doubt that a fresh look at taxation is needed?  With AI delivering an even more absurd bounty to the ultra-wealthy and billionaires using their wealth to gain ever greater control of politics, who can argue that we are not in desperate need of new ideas?

Another issue that has animated the new left is the unconditional support of Israel.  The USA is an extreme outlier in the world in this regard.  The militaristic and extreme right wing Netanyahu regime, with its genocidal war on Gaza, its winking nod to extremist settlers taking over the West Bank, and its use of assassinations and disproportionate attacks, is fast turning Israel into a pariah.  

Even many US and Israeli Jews have recognized the foolhardiness of our unequivocal support and the need for the US to exert massive pressure on Israel to change its ways and truly work toward Middle East peace.  This is no longer radical, but simply sensible. Calling every attempt to discipline Israel antisemitism is disingenuous and dishonest.  And sincere criticism of the influence of the Jewish/Israeli lobby in our politics is needed and should not be conflated with older anti-Jewish tropes.

The passion of the new left to deal with these two major issues may be unsettling to some, and they may at times advocate dramatic measures that are not realistic.  But this is the way that the pendulum swings.  If there is no passion and no conflict, then there is little chance for change.  The status quo is no longer workable.  And it is far better for this change to come through democratic, legislative processes than through depression, revolution or war.