Einstein::Political Activities

Einstein supported a number of political causes that branded him a radical in the eyes of many in the U.S. government.

He wrote of his support for socialism, for example, and described capitalism as "economic anarchy". Such statements, combined with his advocacy of nuclear disarmament and civil rights, made Einstein a highly controversial figure in the 1950s, when the House Committee on Un-American Activities and Senator Joseph McCarthy were accusing many of being Communists. Indeed, the Federal Bureau of Investigation amassed a file with almost 1,500 pages of information on Einstein's allegedly subversive political activities.

Einstein never backed down from his beliefs, however—and always emphasized the importance of intellectual freedom.

"I have never been a Communist," he said. "But if I were, I would not be ashamed of it."

Einstein despaired over the effects of McCarthy accusion :

"The current investigations are an incomparably greater danger to our society than those few Communists in our country ever could be. These investigations have already undermined to a considerable extent the democratic character of our society."

source::http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein/global/mccarthy.php