Democracy & Power

Jul 3, 2017

Episode 4 of the Giving Thought podcast attempts to assess whether philanthropy supports or undermines democracy and whether that question even makes sense. Rhodri and Adam cover the following themes:

 

• Philanthropy is anti-democratic: We highlight recent examples of the long-standing controversy over the anti-democratic nature of philanthropy (e.g. Chan-Zuckerberg Initiative, George Soros and the Koch brothers). But we ask: is being undemocratic in fact a strength to be celebrated? We look at various arguments and examples, including the historical role of philanthropy in promoting unpopular causes, the story of Julius Rosenwald and the current US foundation movement to oppose Trump administration.
• Philanthropic power enhances democracy: Exploring the value of pluralism and civic freedom in enhancing minority voices in democracy. Does philanthropy take the blame for the effect of inequality?
• The eye of the beholder: The use of aid and philanthropy as a soft power tool to spread democracy (Eastern Europe after the cold war and the Arab Spring)

 

Related content from the Giving Thought blog:

 

• Philanthropy: Anti-democratic and proud of it?
• Does philanthropy undermine democracy?
• Philanthropic Power: The Awkward Consequence of Pluralism
• Closing Space or Open Season? What President Trump’s latest move means for the future of civil society campaigning
• Is advocacy and campaigning by not-for-profits undemocratic?
• Brave New World: What role can philanthropy play in the age of Brexit and Trump?
• Has Mark Zuckerberg just announced the death of the charitable foundation?
• Why the Criticism of Mark Zuckerberg’s Philanthropy is Both Wrong and Right