Why Socialism?

Albert Einstein is the world-famous physicist. This article was originally published in the first issue of Monthly Review (May 1949). It was subsequently published in May 1998 to commemorate the first issue of MR‘s fiftieth year. —The Editors Is it advisable for one who is not an expert on economic and social issues to express views on the subject of socialism? Let us first consider the question from the point of view of scientific knowledge. But historic tradition is, so to speak, of yesterday; nowhere have we really overcome what Thorstein Veblen called “the predatory phase” of human development. Second, socialism is directed towards a social-ethical end. For these reasons, we should be on our guard not to overestimate science and scientific methods when it is a question of human problems; and we should not assume that experts are the only ones who have a right to express themselves on questions affecting the organization of society. Production is carried on for profit, not for use.

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