Why Socialism?

"Why Socialism?"[1] is an article written by Albert Einstein in May 1949 which appeared in the first issue of the socialist journal Monthly Review.[2]

Contents

According to Einstein, the profit motive of a capitalist society, in conjunction with competition among capitalists, leads to unnecessary cycles of booms and depressions, and ultimately encourages selfishness instead of cooperation.[3] In addition, the educational system of such a society would be severely undermined because people will educate themselves only to advance their careers. This results in the "crippling of individuals" and the erosion of human creativity.[3] Unrestrained competition in a capitalist society leads to a huge waste of labor and causes economic anarchy, which Einstein denounces as the real source of capitalism's "evil":

The economic anarchy of capitalist society as it exists today is, in my opinion, the real source of the evil.[1]

Einstein predicted that under such a capitalist society, political parties and politicians would be corrupted by financial contributions made by owners of large capital amounts,[3] and the system "cannot be effectively checked even by a democratically organized political society".[1] The essay concludes with Einstein's analysis on how to solve these problems, namely through a non-bureaucratic planned economy:

I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals.[1]

Einstein asserts that a planned economy that adjusts to production would guarantee a livelihood to every member of society:

In such an economy, the means of production are owned by society itself and are utilized in a planned fashion. A planned economy, which adjusts production to the needs of the community, would distribute the work to be done among all those able to work and would guarantee a livelihood to every man, woman, and child. The education of the individual, in addition to promoting his own innate abilities, would attempt to develop in him a sense of responsibility for his fellow men in place of the glorification of power and success in our present society.[1]

In his final words, Einstein cautioned that "a planned economy is not yet socialism", since it may also be accompanied by an "all-powerful" bureaucracy that leads to the "complete enslavement of the individual". It is critically important, therefore, to ensure that a system is in place to protect the rights of the individual.[3]

Motivation

Regarding his motivation for publishing the article, Einstein believed Monthly Review would be a good forum for left wing ideas:

Clarity about the aims and problems of socialism is of greatest significance in our age of transition. Since, under present circumstances, free and unhindered discussion of these problems has come under a powerful taboo, I consider the foundation of this magazine [Monthly Review] to be an important public service.[1]

Excerpt

I am convinced there is only one way to eliminate these grave evils, namely through the establishment of a socialist economy, accompanied by an educational system which would be oriented toward social goals. In such an economy, the means of production are owned by society itself and are utilized in a planned fashion. A planned economy, which adjusts production to the needs of the community, would distribute the work to be done among all those able to work and would guarantee a livelihood to every man, woman, and child. The education of the individual, in addition to promoting his own innate abilities, would attempt to develop in him a sense of responsibility for his fellow men in place of the glorification of power and success in our present society.[1]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Einstein, A. (2009). "Why Socialism?". Monthly Review 61 (1): 55–61. doi:10.14452/MR-061-01-2009-05_7. HTML version available at the Monthly Review website: "Why Socialism?". May 1949. Retrieved 18 January 2014.
  2. ↑ Rowe, ed. by David E.; Schulmann, Robert (2007). Einstein on politics : his private thoughts and public stands on nationalism, Zionism, war, peace, and the bomb. Princeton, NJ [u.a.]: Princeton University Press. p. 432. ISBN 0691120943.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Isaacson, Walter (2008). Einstein his life and universe (Sony eBook ed. ed.). New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. 504–505. ISBN 1416539328.