einstein on socialism...

a clear, concise and comprehensive case for socialism, written by albert einstein in 1949. he discusses our nature as both solitary and social beings, simultaneously conditioned by biological and cultural constitutions, and what this means for the individual's role in society. he then asks "how the structure of society and the cultural attitude of man should be changed in order to make human life as satisfying as possible." the final passages prove particularly poignant in presaging the greatest atrocities committed by soviet tyranny. the challenge: how is it possible, in view of the far-reaching centralization of political and economic power, to prevent bureaucracy from becoming all-powerful and overweening? how can the rights of the individual be protected and therewith a democratic counterweight to the power of bureaucracy be assured? part of the answer may reside in bypassing the power of large bureaucracies through a decentralized system of democratic planning directed by workers' and consumers' councils. moreover, with today's information communication technology, the capacity for mass collaboration and self-government/self-management has never been more viable and effective.

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