A political ideology that combines democratic government with socialism and advocates for social and economic equality through government intervention.

In the 1990s, Francis Fukuyama put forth the end-of-history thesis, which was a major narrative that brought together the liberal-democratic West. He argued that the Western liberal-democratic welfare-state capitalism was the most ideal social system. The only question that remained was when and how other parts of the world would adopt the same model.

However, this narrative crumbled after 2001, and we entered an era of harsh pragmatism. During this time, the only consistent narrative was provided by Trumpian and European racist nationalists. They claimed that the developed Christian West was a wealthy and freedom-loving civilization that was constantly under threat from immigrants, "cultural Marxists," LGBT+ advocates, and self-blaming Europeans.

On the other hand, the "woke" narrative, which these nationalists reject, was even more narrow in its appeal. It focused on a single racist/sexist enemy and did not attempt to mobilize the majority. Instead, it aimed to elevate certain groups, such as trans people, to the status of oppressed.

However, this narrative only offered the majority a sense of guilt, rather than a broad and appealing positive vision. But something new has emerged with the rise of so-called democratic socialists in the United States. One of their leading advocates, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, presented a radically different narrative about what the US is and could be in his address marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Mamdani did not win his office by promoting academic woke ideology, but rather by focusing on local issues and advocating for the underprivileged. He called for policies such as free childcare, rent control, and accessible health services. In his July 4 address, he translated his politics into a global vision, stating that "America is exceptional because here, nothing is fixed in place." He emphasized that the work of fulfilling the values of the Declaration of Independence is ongoing and belongs to all Americans, including the newest ones who were recently naturalized.

He also acknowledged their special power to shape what America means. Of course, Mamdani's vision is ideological, presenting a simplified picture rather than the unvarnished truth. However, what is most important is that it challenges the populist narrative head-on, as evidenced by the hysterical attacks from the right.

In his own July 4 address, President Donald Trump referred to Mamdani when he made a distorted claim that "Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty" and compared it to past events such as World War I and II, Pearl Harbor, and 9/11. But Mamdani has also faced criticism from some radical leftists. In response to his praise of the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution, Jacobin published a commentary titled "Burn the Constitution Once Again." The tagline explained that "the Constitution didn't stop Trump - it made his reign possible." There is certainly merit to these arguments.

As shown in the Federalist Papers, the founders' main concern was to limit popular influence. This is why the Constitution established institutions such as the Electoral College to impede political majorities. The founders themselves were part of the oligarchic elite of their time, with George Washington being one of the wealthiest men in the colonies.

In the first few elections after the founding, only a small fraction of citizens voted. The Constitution also protected slavery and excluded even Irish-Americans from important positions in the state administration. But for some on the left, even the Frankfurt School was seen as a reactionary plot.

On the other hand, the dominant right-wing populist narrative blames woke ideology on figures such as Antonio Gramsci and Herbert Marcuse, and Theodor Adorno. However, some on the left, like Villanova University philosopher Gabriel Rockhill, dismiss Western cultural Marxism as a CIA-backed movement to discredit "actually existing socialism." In both cases, we should heed Jean-Paul Sartre's observation that a text attacked by both sides is probably on the right track, whether it's the US Constitution or One-Dimensional Man. In this context, Mamdani's address was a perfect example of positive ideology.

It countered the right-wing vision of the US as an elite stronghold that is threatened by outsiders and instead presented it as a place that is strong enough to welcome and give opportunities to the world's poor, exploited, and oppressed. In fact, Mamdani sees the very feature that right-wing populists see as a threat to American identity - openness to outsiders - as the source of American exceptionalism. The US is a symbol of hope because it has given generations of immigrants the chance to succeed.

Some leftists may argue that this dream is a lie and that the lower classes, racial minorities, and newcomers have always faced oppression. However, this argument is like firing a blank round - it does not lead to any meaningful change. Mamdani's vision may not reflect the full and unvarnished truth, but it is truer than the Trumpian alternative, and it has the potential to mobilize millions, as we have seen since his election.

This is Mamdani's genius - he has made the poor and tired newcomers the authentic agents of the American dream. In contrast, Trumpian populists are primitive provincials and willing servants of mega-corporations. Today, it is the democratic socialists who embody the emancipatory core of the American dream, making them the true American patriots.

The writer, Slavoj Žižek, is a Professor of Philosophy at the European Graduate School. This article was originally published in Orissa POST, Odisha's No.1 English Daily.