14 May 2019

In episode 49, we explore the immediate philanthropic response to the devastating fire at Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, and ask:

• Does the immediate donation of millions of euros by a handful of the very wealthy demonstrate there is untapped philanthropic potential out there?
• Why will people respond so readily to a damaged building, but ongoing efforts to address issues of human poverty and suffering remain hard to fundraise for?
• What is it about the Notre-Dame disaster that has brought about such an unprecedented response?
• Does this illustrate that philanthropy is inherently irrational? If so, what should our conclusion be?
• Should we be grateful to the mega-donors who pledge millions, or ask what they're getting in return in terms of social status and legitimacy?
• Is it right for mega-donors to get tax breaks on their gifts to Notre-Dame? Should they even get bigger tax breaks, as some have suggested?
• Do we need to scrutinise the source of wealth of these mega-donors, and whether they've paid their fair share of tax, and balance this against their desire to do good through giving?
• If we agree that rebuilding Notre-Dame constitutes a public good, should the French government pay for it through taxation and public spending?
• What lessons can we take from this story for the wider debates about philanthropy?