Welcome to the Giving Thought Podcast, a bi-weekly exploration of trends in global philanthropy and civil society from the Charities Aid Foundation’s in-house think-tank, Giving Thought.
In each episode your host Rhodri Davies (formerly with co-host Adam Pickering) explores a big issue, theme or trend and analyses what it means for philanthropy and civil society around the world.
Be sure to check the show notes for each podcast and find blogs, reports and videos from Giving Thought and do get in touch if you have questions or suggestions at givingthought@cafonline.org.
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In this episode we explore mutual aid: what is it, why is there
so much interest in it right now and how does it relate to charity
and philanthropy? Including:
Defining the distinction between mutual aid and charity
William Beveridge’s thoughts on mutual aid
Peter Kropotkin and mutual aid as a fundamental element of
human nature
How does mutual aid relate to notions of solidarity and class
identity?
Why has mutual aid historically been so important for
marginalised groups such as immigrant communities?
Medieval mutual aid: the guilds
Why did mutual aid become so prominent in the 19th
century?
What were the Friendly Societies, why were they important and
why are they no longer around?
How does mutual aid fit in with the post-WWII development of
the voluntary sector?
Why has mutual aid become so prominent as an idea during the
pandemic?
Is this a reflection of the unique circumstances of the
pandemic or will it herald any longer-term changes in civil
society?
Does the enthusiasm for mutual aid networks demonstrate an
unmet appetite for greater participation in addressing social
causes?
Is there a dark side to mutual aid? Can solidarity become
exclusionary?
Will the growth of mutual aid come at the cost of more
traditional charitable giving and volunteering?
Do mutual aid networks build social capital? If so, is it
merely “bonding” social capital or also “bridging”?
What is the role of technology in making mutual aid networks
possible?
What can we learn from other cultures of giving around the
world in which mutual aid is much more prominent?
This is the podcast from CAF’s think tank Giving Thought, where we look at big issues, themes and news stories that relate to philanthropy and the work of civil society.
Our host, Rhodri Davies, leads you through a wide range of fascinating topics, and also speaks to great guests who bring their own insight and expertise on civil society issues.