Polls show that more Americans are embracing socialism.

At the same time, politicians that call themselves Democratic Socialists are often painted by conservatives as political extremists.

What is a Democratic Socialist? And why is President Donald Trump calling a popular one in the race for New York City’s mayor a communist?

Today on the Wheelhouse, we define socialism. We’ll wade through complicated political waters to examine its history and complex ideology.

GUESTS:
Dan Haar, senior columnist and editor, CT Insider
Christopher Vials, professor of English, University of Connecticut

<a href="https://news.gallup.com/poll/694835/image-capitalism-slips.aspx#:~:text=by%20Political%20Party-,Just%20off%20the%20top%20of%20your%20head%2C%20would%20you%20say,it%20positively%20and%2062%25%20negatively.">Polls</a>&nbsp;show that more Americans are embracing socialism.
At the same time, politicians that call themselves Democratic Socialists are often painted by conservatives as political extremists.
What is a Democratic Socialist? And why is President Donald Trump calling a popular one in the race for New York City&rsquo;s mayor a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/12/nyregion/trump-mamdani-nyc-mayor.html">communist</a>?
Today on the Wheelhouse, we define socialism. We&rsquo;ll wade through complicated political waters to examine its history and complex ideology.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/dan-haar/">Dan Haar</a>, senior columnist and editor, CT Insider</li>
<li><a href="https://english.uconn.edu/person/christopher-vials/">Christopher Vials</a>, professor of English, University of Connecticut</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

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