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“Why Socialism?�� is a short essay written by Albert Einstein for the socialist journal Monthly Review’s first issue. In it, Einstein briefly outlines his critique of capitalism, which borrows heavily from classical Marxism, and why a transition to socialism is essential for the survival of the human species.

Here are his major points:

The current laws of economics are derived from a capitalist society and thus only applicable to it. Socialism supersedes capitalism; it is a radical transformation of society. So current economic forces have no relevance for a future socialist society. Just because something cannot be done under capitalism does not mean it cannot be done under socialism.

The abolition of capitalism and a transition to socialism is an imperative for human survival in order to avert nuclear armageddon and ecological catastrophe.

Science is amoral; a tool; a means to an end. An ethical ideal like socialism is required to guide science toward the desirable end of liberating mankind from the dictates of nature. Or else science will be exploited for an unethical ideal like capitalism to enslave mankind and eventually destroy it.

The individual and society form a symbiotic relationship. A healthy individual needs a healthy society and a healthy society needs healthy individuals.

Human nature is two-dimensional: a fixed biological component and a flexible cultural one determined by environment. (Here Einstein is paraphrasing Marx)

Capitalism undermines democracy by concentrating wealth into the hands of an economic elite which funds a political elite to represent its interests in government. The ultra-rich also control the media and educational systems to manipulate public opinion and prevent free thought. (Here Einstein is prefiguring Thomas Ferguson’s investment theory and Noam Chomsky and Ed Herman’s propaganda model)

Capitalism’s profit motive entails human needs go unmet to satisfy human greed.

Socialism must be democratic if it is to ward off the danger of a totalitarian bureaucracy. (Here Einstein is alluding to Soviet totalitarianism and echoing Bakunin’s warning of a red bureaucracy)