A Socialist's Reflections on Atomic Energy (1948)

From the February 1948 issue of the Socialist Standard

One of the fundamentals of Scientific Socialism is the theory that when productive forces have reached a certain stage in their development, they rebel against conditions of production. This culminates in social revolution; conditions of production are harmonised with the forces of production and a new social system comes into being. Application of this theory to contemporary capitalism shows productive forces rebelling against these obsolete conditions of production, i.e. capitalism. Atomic energy is an intensification of that rebellion, a rebellion which manifests itself in slumps and wars. Social production conflicts with private ownership. The solution of this conflict is social ownership. The need for this social ownership is becoming clearer daily.

Under capitalism the purpose of production is for sale on the market in order to secure a profit for the capitalist class, which owns the means of production. When goods cannot be sold at a profit, production ceases. Wealth is produced solely by the working class, the vast majority of the population of advanced capitalist countries. This class is divorced from the means of life and therefore has to sell its labour power to the capitalists, who own the means of life. The working class does not merely produce the equivalent of its wages. It produces a surplus value, from which the capitalist class derives its income in the form of rent, interest and profit. Thus the working class, comprising most of society, produces more than it is able to buy.

When goods cannot be sold at a profit production ceases. Millions become unemployed and suffer from lack of food, clothing and shelter, not because of shortage but owing to a glut. The capitalist classes of various countries consequently scramble for new markets, this scramble culminating in war.

Production increases in face of a market shrinking owing to industrialisation everywhere, thus making slumps and wars more catastrophic. Atomic energy will naturally intensify these problems, if capitalism will exist when it is applied. It may lead to the extinction of mankind.

The appearance of the atomic bomb on the scene makes the obsolete nature of existing conditions of production obvious. The mouthpieces of the ruling class are in despair. Their attempts to prevent wars or even the use of atom bombs are miserable failures.

It is clear that the application of atomic energy to industry will intensify the rebellion of productive forces against obsolete conditions. Socialism, involving the harmonising of social production with social ownership, forces of production with conditions of production, will not merely solve the problem presented by increased forces of production, but will make these forces, such as atomic energy, an asset to mankind.

Under Socialism production will be solely for use and when sufficient will have been produced, society will enjoy the products of its labour. Any devices enabling society to produce more wealth more easily in a shorter time will obviously be welcomed.

The choice lies in the hands of every worker. Increasing misery under capitalism or employment of the control over Nature, which man has obtained for the benefit of mankind, under Socialism. Socialism is not merely possible—its establishment is vital if mankind is to survive.

F.T.