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In the aftermath of last week’s elections in the US, the victory of Zohran Mamdani in the New York City mayoral contest stands as a pivotal moment in American politics. As a Muslim Democratic socialist, Mamdani’s ascent to what is often regarded as the second-most-challenging executive position in the US — after the presidency — signals a profound shift in voter priorities amid widespread economic anxiety.
Mamdani’s campaign captured national attention as an archetypal outsider bid in a city synonymous with wealth and power. Securing 50.4 percent of the vote in the election, he defeated independent candidate Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa, marking a departure from the dominance of establishment figures. This result contrasts sharply with the 2013 mayoral race, in which Democrat Bill de Blasio triumphed with 73 percent, highlighting the fragmented political landscape of today.
Yet, Mamdani’s win was not an isolated phenomenon. More indicative of national trends were the gubernatorial contests in Virginia and New Jersey, states with competitive political environments.
In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger decisively defeated Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, garnering just over 57 percent of the vote compared to Earle-Sears’ 42 percent. Spanberger, a former congresswoman, campaigned as a centrist, emphasizing economic stability and infrastructure improvements, while sidestepping divisive cultural debates.
Similarly, in New Jersey, Democrat Mikie Sherrill, another congressional veteran, overcame Republican Jack Ciattarelli by a comparable margin, reflecting a voter preference for pragmatic governance. Both women positioned themselves as moderates focused on fiscal responsibility, job creation and cost-of-living relief, avoiding entanglements in polarizing social issues.
Generation Z voters have inherited a landscape marked by economic precarity, stagnant wages and soaring housing costs
Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed
Mamdani, while ideologically progressive, adopted a parallel strategy by centering his platform on affordability. His response to queries about inclusivity within the Democratic Party — “they also have to pay rent” — encapsulated a unifying appeal that transcended ideological divides. This approach resonated particularly with Generation Z voters, who have inherited a landscape marked by economic precarity, stagnant wages and soaring housing costs.
Broader American disillusionment, characterized by fear, anger and a pervasive sense of despair, stems from repeated electoral cycles perceived as manipulative. Many citizens feel their long-term social and economic prospects are dim, exacerbated by tactics that distract from substantive issues.
Central to this disillusionment is the concept of agnotology, the study of how ignorance is deliberately produced and sustained for political or economic gain. First described by historian Robert Proctor, agnotology examines phenomena such as climate change denial, military secrecy and environmental obfuscation, framing ignorance not as a mere void but as a manufactured product of cultural and political conflicts.
In the US context, this manifests in strategies employed by recent administrations to divert public attention. During Donald Trump’s first term, critics argue that his administration mastered distraction through sensationalism and triviality, evading transparency on critical matters like economic policy and international relations. The Biden administration followed suit, albeit differently, by amplifying controversial social debates — such as those surrounding gender, race and identity that, while important, often overshadowed pressing economic concerns affecting the majority.
These tactics are poised to intensify. Influencers, journalists and civil society must counter this “system of triviality” by prioritizing accountability and substantive discourse. The stakes are high, as many Americans grapple with daily hardships while a minuscule elite thrives. This disparity is vividly illustrated in Sen. Bernie Sanders’ 2025 book, “Fight Oligarchy,” which dissects the entrenched structures of inequality in contemporary America.
Sanders articulates how income and wealth disparities in the US have escalated to unprecedented heights. The top 1 percent now holds more wealth than the bottom 93 percent of households combined. Exemplifying this, Elon Musk’s net worth, approaching $400 billion, exceeds the combined total of the bottom 52 percent of Americans. Corporate executives earn as much as 350 times the salary of their average employees, while the middle class contends with skyrocketing expenses in housing, food and healthcare.
This inequality fosters an oligarchic system defined by corporate consolidation: four firms control 80 percent of beef processing, 70 percent of pork and 60 percent of poultry, inflating prices and diminishing competition. Analogous monopolies dominate the transport, finance, energy, healthcare and technology sectors.
Ownership concentration amplifies these issues, with asset managers like Vanguard, BlackRock and State Street holding significant stakes in 95 percent of S&P 500 companies. This interconnectedness erodes accountability, as decisions prioritize shareholder returns over public welfare.
Media control exacerbates the problem, with six conglomerates and billionaire owners commanding 90 percent of content. Influential figures like Musk (X), Jeff Bezos (The Washington Post), Mark Zuckerberg (Meta), Larry Ellison (Paramount) and Rupert Murdoch (Fox) shape narratives that favor elite interests, marginalizing discussions on universal healthcare, wage equity and wealth redistribution.
Politically, the 2010 Citizens United decision has amplified corruption by permitting unlimited billionaire contributions. Election spending has surged more than 1,600 percent, with 100 families donating $2.6 billion in 2024 — double the 2020 figure. Musk’s $290 million investment in Trump’s campaign secured his influence, including co-leadership of the Department of Government Efficiency, aimed at dismantling federal agencies and displacing workers. Such dynamics subvert democratic principles, prioritizing donor agendas over constituent needs.
Structural inequities not only breed disillusionment but also heighten vulnerability to economic shocks
Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed
These structural inequities not only breed disillusionment but also heighten vulnerability to economic shocks. A pressing concern is the potential for a devastating stock market crash akin to 1929, as posited by Andrew Ross Sorkin in his 2025 book, “1929: The Inside Story of the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History.” Sorkin details the greed, optimism and folly that precipitated the Great Depression, drawing parallels to today’s market, buoyed by artificial intelligence firms laden with massive debt. These companies, having borrowed extensively, may falter in sustaining growth, triggering broader instability.
Compounding this is the US national debt, which has surpassed $38 trillion — more than the combined economies of China, Germany, Japan, India and the UK. Since 2001, annual spending has exceeded revenues by about $1 trillion, with the debt ballooning from historical levels. What accrued over two centuries has doubled in just four years, not through genuine growth but through borrowing.
Former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has warned of the perils of unchecked debt, noting in past statements that, while the US can theoretically print money to avoid default, such measures risk inflation and economic erosion. Greenspan’s earlier advocacy for debt reduction underscores the urgency: persistent deficits crowd out private investment and burden future generations.
The ramifications of these US developments extend profoundly to the Arab world and . Mamdani’s historic triumph as the first Muslim mayor of New York can galvanize Arab and Muslim communities globally, symbolizing empowerment against Islamophobia and affirming Palestinian rights as a viable political stance.
In the Middle East, it fosters hope for inclusive governance, inspiring youth activism from Riyadh to Cairo. For , Trump’s second term is producing strengthened bilateral ties, including $600 billion in investments, potentially advancing Vision 2030 diversification. And Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to Washington next week aims to advance the massive economic partnership pledged during Trump’s May trip to Riyadh.
However, US pushes for higher oil output risk depressing prices, straining Riyadh’s $27 billion 2025 deficit and exacerbating debt amid global volatility. Alongside potential market crashes, the Kingdom’s oil-dependent economy faces fiscal pressures, necessitating prudent reforms to mitigate interconnected risks.
In conclusion, Mamdani’s victory, alongside fellow Democrat successes in Virginia and New Jersey, underscores a voter mandate for economic focus over cultural division. But this shift occurs against a backdrop of deepening inequality, political manipulation and fiscal peril. To navigate the forthcoming challenges, stakeholders must foster transparency, combat agnotology and advocate for reforms that address oligarchic dominance.
By prioritizing equitable policies, the US can mitigate the risks of economic catastrophe and restore faith in democratic institutions. The transitional period ahead demands vigilance, as the lessons of history — from 1929 to the present — warn against complacency.
- Dr. Turki Faisal Al-Rasheed is an adjunct professor at the University of Arizona’s College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences, in the Department of Biosystems Engineering. He is the author of “Agricultural Development Strategies: The Saudi Experience.” X: @TurkiFRasheed