New York City’s newly elected socialist mayor delivered an inaugural address that left many spectators taken aback with its seemingly pro-communist rhetoric. During his speech, Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old rising political figure, made a striking assertion: “We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism.”

The statement, delivered with Mamdani’s characteristic charisma, quickly sparked concern among conservative observers. They argue that such sentiments undermine the capitalist principles that have historically fueled New York City’s ascent as a global economic leader.

At its core, collectivism emphasizes the importance of group identity over individualism, a perspective that prioritizes communal interests over personal aspirations. This ideology forms the cornerstone of economic structures like communism and socialism, which advocate for shared ownership and cooperative management of resources.

Despite the implications of his speech, Mamdani has consistently distanced himself from communism, aligning instead with Democratic Socialism. This political philosophy, which has gained traction in recent years, critiques capitalism and advocates for systemic reforms to promote social welfare and economic equity.

The philosophy serves as the basic framework for economic systems such as communism and socialism. 

Mamdani has previously denied that he supports communism and identifies as a Democratic Socialist, a relatively new political theory that opposes capitalism.

During his inauguration, the newly minted mayor pledged to govern the city as a Democratic Socialist. 

Democratic Socialism doesn’t have a significant following in the US, but it has risen in prominence since Senator Bernie Sanders began using the term.  

Zohran Mamdani, pictured above speaking at his inauguration on Thursday, praised collectivism and condemned individualism 

Conservatives likened collectivism to socialist and communist regimes, including the oppressive Soviet Union rule. Those living under Soviet control were often forced to wait in bread lines for food, as pictured above 

Mamdani has maintained that he isn’t a communist and instead believes in Democratic Socialism, a philosophy that progressives Senator Bernie Sanders (left), and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (right), also subscribe to. The two supported Mamdani’s run and attended a campaign event in October (pictured above) 

Collectivism can be contrasted with individualism, which characterizes a social contract emphasizing personal goals and self-reliance. 

Individualism is the basic philosophy of economic systems such as capitalism, in which individuals control the means of production and a competitive market exists. 

Crucially, individualism is said to encourage competition, which supporters say breeds the type of innovation that helps drive societies forward.

Critics like Mamdani say individualism also incentivizes greed, leads to obscene gaps between rich and poor and rises costs of living to the point where ordinary people struggle.  

Mamdani went on to say that his campaign demonstrated that New Yorkers yearned for solidarity and, regardless of their socioeconomic background, shared a defining characteristic: living in the Big Apple. 

He referenced New Yorkers who voted for him after supporting President Donald Trump, saying he recognized their seemingly opposing votes were both motivated by concerns about the cost of living. 

‘And if for too long these communities have existed as distinct from one another, we will draw this city closer together,’ Mamdani said.

Mamdani’s quote went viral on social media, prompting some conservatives to question why he would encourage collectivist ideology. 

Prominent conservatives argued that Mamdani’s call to collectivism echoed socialist and communist countries, many of which have violent regimes. 

‘The “warmth” of collectivism that always requires coercion and force,’ Florida Governor Ron DeSantis wrote on X.

‘How many dead over the past 100 years due to collectivist ideologies?’

Utah Senator Mike Lee condemned Mamdani’s message on X, writing, ‘Collectivism isn’t warm.

‘It’s as cold as ice and locks the poor into perpetual poverty. Free markets have elevated more people out of poverty than any government program ever could.’

The Libertarian Party, which advocates for free markets and small government, wrote: ‘Collectivism is a disease, not a cure.’

‘No, actually, we are Americans and we don’t believe in that s**t,’ Conservative journalist Megyn Kelly wrote on X. 

Others also criticized Mamdani’s call for collectivism on social media, with one writing: ‘Russian immigrants in America hearing about the “warmth of collectivism”. This stuff just had to follow us here, didn’t it?’

‘Mamdani’s comments are antithetical to America’s values. We’re a country built on rugged individualism,’ another tweeted. 

‘Huddled in the bread lines might be warm, I suppose,’ a third sarcastically added. 

However, others defended Mamdani’s position, with one writing: ‘It seems a lot of people don’t know that collectivism and communism are two different things.’

Mamdani’s progressive and Democratic Socialist platforms generated mass media attention during New York’s mayoral race. 

During his campaign, Mamdani told CNN that he had ‘many critiques’ of capitalism and believed that it wasn’t essential to achieving the American Dream.

Prominent conservatives including Mike Lee (left) and Ron DeSantis (right) criticized Mamdani’s message on social media 

Ocasio-Cortez introduced Mamdani before his inauguration speech while Sanders swore him in. The two are pictured above at Inauguration Day in NYC 

President Donald Trump has continually referred to Mamdani as a ‘communist’ and previously threatened to pull federal funding if he were elected.

Since Mamdani’s win, Trump has seemingly softened his threats and even praised the young mayor after the two met at the White House. 

Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has also followed in Sanders’ footsteps as a Democratic Socialist as well and member of the Democratic Party’s progressive caucus. 

Ocasio-Cortez introduced Mamdani at his inauguration, and Sanders held a Quran while he was sworn in. 

The Daily Mail has reached out to Mamdani’s office for comment.