PHILANTHROPY, DEMOCRACY AND INEQUALITY, WITH ROB REICH

In episode 38 we talk to Professor Rob Reich from Stanford University about his new book, Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it Can Do Better and about his wider work exploring the political philosophy of philanthropy.  In a wide-ranging conversation, we cover:

• What motivated him to write the book?
• Why has philanthropy been largely ignored as a subject of study by political philosophers and political theorists over the years?
• Does he see his book as part of a growing trend of criticism of elite philanthropy at the moment?
• Why does philanthropy potentially subvert democracy?
• Is elite philanthropy a plutocratic exercise of power? And can this ever be justified?
• Does mass market philanthropy represent a powerful means of decentralising power and choice about public goods? Or is this always undermined by the disproportionate influence of those with large amounts to give?
• Do tax breaks for philanthropy exacerbate inequality? How could we structure them differently?
• How should we understand the role of foundations?
• If one of the key benefits of foundation philanthropy is innovation and 'discovery', how do we ensure this is at the heart of what they do?
• Why are endowed structures that exist in perpetuity a particular problem?
• What has been the response from policymakers, philanthropists and foundation leaders to his arguments? And what would ideally like them to do?

Related content

• Rob's new book Just Giving: Why Philanthropy is Failing Democracy and How it Can Do Better
• Reich, Cordelli & Bernholz (2016) Philanthropy in Democratic Societies: History, Institutions, Values
• Rob's profile page at Stanford
• Rhodri's book Public Good by Private Means
• My blog "Philanthropy: Anti-Democratic and Proud of it?"