Fareed Zakaria GPS – Episode Summary
Date: October 26, 2025
Episode: What Mamdani’s Success Reveals About the Democrats
Podcast: Fareed Zakaria GPS (CNN Podcasts)
Overview
In this episode, Fareed Zakaria examines the changing landscape of American democracy and the Democratic Party in the wake of New York City's mayoral race, where progressive candidate Zoran Mamdani has emerged as a frontrunner. The conversation explores what Mamdani’s rise signals about broader political shifts within the party, the role of cultural versus economic issues, and the implications for national elections. Zakaria also discusses the outsized impact of artificial intelligence on the U.S. economy, the escalating U.S.-China trade war, and current debates around free speech. Special guests include Elaine Kamarck (Brookings Institution), Ested Herndon (Vox), Karen Hao (journalist on AI), and Dan Wang (China scholar).
Main Themes and Key Discussion Points
1. Crisis of Trust in Democracy (Zakaria’s Monologue, 00:02–10:00)
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Widespread Disillusionment: Zakaria cites a Pew survey showing 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with democracy, noting similar trends globally.
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Historical Perspective: He draws a parallel to the crisis of the 1970s (inflation, Watergate) but argues today’s malaise is deeper, rooted in a collapse of trust rather than institutional competence.
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Loss of Faith in Referees: Zakaria references Michael Lewis’ "post-referee" society—institutions are no longer seen as neutral arbiters, fueling cynicism and polarization.
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Populism’s Appeal: He explains how perceived unfairness leads to support for populists—right-populists when unfairness feels personal, left-populists when it feels social.
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Restoring Trust: Zakaria concludes that democracy’s revival depends on rediscovering collective trust rather than improved management or transparency.
“Unless we can believe again that the referee is trying to be fair, we will keep shouting, ‘Ref, you suck’ at our own democracy, and then wonder why the game no longer feels worth playing.”
— Fareed Zakaria [09:56]
2. The Democratic Party’s Working-Class Crisis & Mamdani’s Rise (10:00–14:45)
Elaine Kamarck (Brookings Institution) and Ested Herndon (Vox) Discuss:
- Loss of Working-Class Voters: Democrats’ current base is highly educated; those without college degrees are increasingly Republican.
"When you look at the people who don't [have a college degree], it's a sea of red. That is the core weakness that the Democratic Party has."
— Fareed Zakaria [09:50] - Perceived Liberalism: 58% of Americans think Democrats are “too liberal”; cultural issues overshadow Democratic economic policies.
“If people think you're in favor of criminals and don't care about victims, ... they're not hearing your economic message.”
—Elaine Kamarck [11:13] - Economic vs. Cultural Messaging: Even when Democrats poll well on economic policies, cultural issues (like crime or identity) tend to dominate voter perception.
3. The Mamdani Model—A Progressive Example with National Implications (14:45–20:07)
Ested Herndon on Zoran Mamdani’s Strategy:
- Class-first, Local Focus: Mamdani’s campaign centres on affordability, rent, free buses and childcare—direct appeals to working-class concerns, using "economics first" language.
"His version of Democratic socialism is economics first. ... [He] lives in the kind of class-based language of talking to people."
—Ested Herndon [12:14] - National Tensions: Mamdani is progressive on "base" issues like Palestine, aligning with younger Democratic voters—but these positions may be toxic nationally.
"[Mamdani] would say he's running for race in New York City, that he's not trying to lay out a lesson for the Democrats broadly. But of course, Democrats are looking for lessons..."
—Ested Herndon [15:57] - Policing Shift: Mamdani has moved away from "defund the police" rhetoric, reflecting the need to reassure voters on safety.
“The biggest 180 you’ve seen from him is on policing, where he has made clear that he has stepped away from his language in 2020.”
—Ested Herndon [16:23]
Democratic Energies vs. Electoral Challenges (Kamarck):
- Progressive Enthusiasm vs. Moderates: Progressives like Mamdani, AOC, and Bernie generate energy, but centrists win in key swing states.
“Let’s not over interpret what New York City means for midterm elections... Mamdani's big problem is not free buses... but, boy, it’s police, and it’s defund the police... Republicans will put this in every single one of their ads against Democrats...”
—Elaine Kamarck [17:31] - Messaging and Timing: Biden’s team believed "policy would be politics," but tangible impacts and effective messaging lagged, especially on issues like inflation and immigration.
"I think they have learned a harsh lesson about bureaucracy… about messaging..."
—Ested Herndon [19:11] “If you do your job right, they'll know. … And I think that's a difference in philosophy that goes beyond right, left, or center.”
—Ested Herndon quoting Mamdani [19:36]
4. AI’s Economic Boom—Promise and Peril
With Karen Hao, journalist and author, 21:44–26:43
- AI as the Engine of Growth: Over 40% of U.S. GDP growth this year attributed to AI.
“Spending on artificial intelligence makes up over 40% of GDP growth this year. Jason Furman at Harvard says…last quarter…90% of growth... was all just AI spending.”
—Fareed Zakaria [21:14] - Environmental Toll: Mega-data centers planned by tech giants could consume energy equivalent to several states of California. Much of the power comes from fossil fuels, raising pollution and climate concerns.
"Some of these supercomputers ... would also use as much energy as New York City. … They are singlehandedly revitalizing the natural gas and coal industries."
—Karen Hao [22:00] - Unsustainable Business Models: Despite massive investment (trillions), AI companies generate only tens of billions, creating a "bubble" that could burst.
“We are in a huge bubble that is going to pop. There's going to be a massive market correction…”
—Karen Hao [24:06] - Quasi-religious Tech Culture: Executives believe in an imminent AGI that will solve all major issues, leading to a risky all-in approach.
“A lot of these people have a quasi-religious belief that AGI is possible, it's imminent and...will solve all of these problems.”
—Karen Hao [25:34]
5. U.S.–China Trade War: Stalemate, Strategy, and Sovereignty
With Dan Wang, historian and China scholar, 26:46–32:42
- China’s “Engineering State”: Under Xi Jinping, China is intensifying efforts for tech self-sufficiency, massive infrastructure and Belt & Road projects.
“Self-sufficiency... some degree of tech modernization has always been very present... under Xi Jinping, he has really intensified it.”
—Dan Wang [28:20] - Prepared for “Struggle”: Xi’s rhetoric and Communist Party communications stress “struggle” as a defining element for China’s posture, requiring sacrifices from elites and the public.
"Struggle is a term that comes up a lot with Xi Jinping. ... The population does not always love to be heaved thus."
—Dan Wang [29:28] - Cautious Confrontation: Although Xi is not likely to escalate radically, both sides misjudge what the other will accept, making a lasting truce unlikely.
“I think we may come to some sort of a temporary trade truce... but I fear it won’t be lasting for a very long time.”
—Dan Wang [32:27] - Domestic Incentives for Conflict: Both U.S. and Chinese leaders need to appear to “win,” thwarting compromise.
6. Free Speech: U.S. vs. Europe—Hypocrisy and Lessons
Zakaria’s Analysis, 32:42–38:47
- Europe’s Restrictions: Outlines EU nations’ limits on speech, citing recent cases—often justified by post-WWII safeguards, but poorly adapted for the internet age.
- Chilling Effects: UK police made 12,000 arrests in 2023 for offensive online messages, illustrating overreach.
- Empowering Extremists: Laws intended to suppress far-right leaders sometimes increase their appeal by casting them as martyrs for “free speech.”
- U.S. Double Standards: The Trump administration criticizes Europe’s restrictions while cracking down on dissent and free expression at home.
“We are currently witnessing the most anti-free speech US administration since the McCarthy era. While preaching liberty abroad, the Trump administration has moved to punish universities, media outlets and law firms and detained student activists...”
—Fareed Zakaria [36:57] - Conclusion: Europe’s model is flawed for the digital era, but U.S. should match its rhetoric with policies at home.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Democracy’s Malaise:
"Today's challenge is moral, not managerial. ... Institutions still function, but they've lost their aura of fairness. When citizens no longer trust the referees, they stop obeying the rules."
—Fareed Zakaria [08:36] -
On Democratic Messaging:
"You can have a great message on the economy, but if people think you're in favor of criminals and don't care about victims...they're not hearing your economic message."
—Elaine Kamarck [11:13] -
AI’s Environmental Costs:
“They are singlehandedly revitalizing the natural gas and coal industries. That's an extraordinary amount of carbon emissions that's not only accelerating climate change but also leading to huge public health concerns...”
—Karen Hao [22:35] -
On U.S. Free Speech Hypocrisy:
“While preaching liberty abroad, the Trump administration has moved to punish universities, media outlets and law firms and detained student activists like Columbia University's Mahmoud Khalil over pro Palestinian speech.”
—Fareed Zakaria [36:57]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Zakaria’s Opening Monologue on Democracy: 00:02–10:00
- Democratic Party & Working-Class Shift (Kamarck, Herndon): 10:00–14:45
- Mamdani’s Strategies and Cultural/Economic Divide: 14:45–20:07
- Artificial Intelligence & U.S. Economy (Karen Hao): 21:44–26:43
- U.S.–China Trade Relations (Dan Wang): 26:46–32:42
- Europe & U.S. Free Speech Comparison: 32:42–38:47
Conclusion
This episode delivers a multifaceted analysis of the ongoing crisis in trust underlying American democracy, the electoral and messaging struggles of the Democratic Party—especially with the rise of progressive figures like Mamdani—and the global reverberations of rapid technological and geopolitical change. The discussions are rich with on-the-ground reporting, historical analogies, and sharp insights on culture, economics, and identity in domestic and global politics.