Conversations with Coleman Can Socialism Ever Really Work? w/ Bhaskar Sunkara
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Sep 15, 2025 
Bhaskar Sunkara, the founding editor of Jacobin magazine and author of The Socialist Manifesto, dives deep into the realm of democratic socialism. He discusses the practicality of socialism amidst America's affordability crisis, emphasizing the need for rent controls. The conversation touches on the intriguing challenges of the populist left, identity politics, and the role of unions in advocating for workers' rights. Sunkara also sheds light on New York City’s housing complexities, especially in relation to mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani's approach to tackling urban issues.
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State Role In Rapid Development
- He contends state-led industrial policy helped countries like Russia and China develop despite political costs.
- Sunkara points to mixed models that combined planning with market opening.
Use Public Banks To Share Risk
- Ensure public banks act as shared custodians of public wealth to prevent labor market distortion.
- Use public ownership to balance inequities across capital- and labor-intensive sectors.
Power, Not Just Wealth, Is The Problem
- Sunkara sees the core problem as power relations at work, not mere wealth numbers.
- He argues redistribution and democratizing workplaces address power asymmetries.
