Many well-known scientists throughout history have been socialists, communists, or anarchists. These scientists believed in forming a society where resources are more equitably distributed, often involving common ownership of the means of production. Here are some examples:
- Albert Einstein: Einstein was an anti-bureaucrat socialist and anti-Stalinist communist who supported a number of political causes, including socialism, nuclear disarmament, and civil rights.
- Lev Landau: Landau was an ardent communist who contributed to the construction of socialism in the USSR.
- Stephen Hawking: Hawking was a physicist who was led to socialism by the nature of his work.
- H.G. Wells: Wells was an ardent utopian and socialist who studied zoology.
- Robert Owen: Owen was an early socialist pioneer who advocated for a form of utopian socialism and co-operative communities.
- Karl Marx: Marx was the foremost socialist intellectual who wrote Das Capital and co-authored The Communist Manifesto.
- George Orwell: Orwell was an English author who was a leading advocate of democratic socialism.
People should know about these scientists because their political beliefs influenced their scientific work and vice versa. The intersection of science and politics is an important topic that can help us understand how scientific discoveries and innovations are shaped by social, economic, and political factors. Learning about these scientists can help us appreciate the diversity of perspectives and ideas that have contributed to scientific progress throughout history.
Further reading: Why Socialism? By Albert Einstein