Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better Audiobook (Free)

Is philanthropy, by its very nature, a threat to today’s democracy? Though we might laud wealthy people who give away their money for society’s advantage, Just Giving shows how such generosity not only isn’t the unassailable good we think it to become but might also undermine democratic beliefs and set back dreams of justice. Big philanthropy is usually often an exercise of power, the conversion of private property into public influence. Which is a kind of power that’s largely unaccountable, frequently about Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is certainly Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better perpetual, and lavishly tax-advantaged. The affluent-and their foundations-reap vast benefits even as they influence plan without accountability. And small philanthropy, or ordinary charitable giving, can be problematic as well. Charity, as it happens, does surprisingly little to provide for those in need and occasionally worsens inequality.

These outcomes are shaped with the policies define and structure philanthropy. When, just how much, and to whom people give is influenced by laws governing from the creation of foundations and nonprofits to generous taxes exemptions for donations of cash and house. Rob Reich asks: What attitude and what policies should democracies have concerning people who give money away for public purposes?