Why Socialism?
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"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. It discusses his belief that capitalism has failed to meet the human potential for creativity and 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. 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."[2]
Aims
Regarding his motivation for publishing the article in the Monthly Review, which Einstein believed would be a good forum for his left wing ideas, he said:
- "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."[3]
References
- ^ MR primary text
- ^ ¶ 21
- ^ Rowe, David, and Schulmann, Robert. What were Einstein's Politics? History News Network. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2010.
