“Firstly, it is not true that fascism is only the fighting organisation of the bourgeoisie. Fascism is not only a military-technical category. Fascism is the bourgeoisie’s fighting organisation that relies on the active support of Social-Democracy. Social-Democracy is objectively the moderate wing of fascism.
There is no ground for assuming that the fighting organisation of the bourgeoisie can achieve decisive successes in battles, or in governing the country, without the active support of Social-Democracy.
There is just as little ground for thinking that Social-Democracy can achieve decisive successes in battles, or in governing the country, without the active support of the fighting organisation of the bourgeoisie. These organisations do not negate, but supplement each other. They are not antipodes, they are twins.
Fascism is an informal political bloc of these two chief organisations; a bloc, which arose in the circumstances of the post-war crisis of imperialism, and which is intended for combating the proletarian revolution. The bourgeoisie cannot retain power without such a bloc.
It would therefore be a mistake to think that “pacifism” signifies the liquidation of fascism. In the present situation, “pacifism” is the strengthening of fascism with its moderate, Social-Democratic wing pushed into the forefront.”
- JV Stalin, Concerning the International Situation, 1924
DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST NYC MAYOR MAMDANI PRAISES TRUMP’S REAL ESTATE
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a DSA, self-described democratic socialist who campaigned on taxing the wealthy and challenging billionaire influence, offered an unexpected compliment to Donald Trump during the president’s visit to Gracie Mansion.
Mamdani and Trump discussed plans to transform Queens’ Sunnyside Yard into a massive new neighbourhood. The mayor thanked Trump for his interest before praising the Republican president’s experience as a New York real-estate developer, noting that Trump had “built quite a lot of housing” in the city.
The conversation surprised many, as Mamdani has been critical of Trump as an avowed democratic socialist, but this time he publicly applauded the credentials of a billionaire real-estate businessman, reality TV star, turned conservative president. There were jokes that Trump really liked Mamdani, as the President also praised the young mayor.
Logically though, Mamdani’s Sunnyside Yard proposal calls for roughly 12,000 homes and 30,000 jobs which would require major federal approvals and potentially billions in federal support, so he’d need Trump’s nod. The two agreed to deepen talks between City Hall and the White House, although Trump has yet to commit to federal funding.
What do you think? Is Mamdani abandoning the principles he campaigned on, or is he simply being pragmatic and doing what is necessary to deliver for his constituents?