The Tyranny of Generosity : Why Philanthropy Corrupts Our Politics and How We Can Fix It

"The practice of philanthropy, which generously releases private property for public purposes, represents in many ways the best angels of our nature. But this practice's noteworthy virtues often blind us to the exercises of private power that it represents. The Tyranny of Generosity argues that this private power threatens foundations of a democratic society. The deployment of private wealth for public ends rivals the authority of communities to determine their own affairs. And, in societies characterized by wide disparities in wealth, philanthropy combines with background inequalities to make public decisions overwhelmingly sensitive to the preferences of the rich. Allowing private wealth to control social outcomes collides with core commitments of a democratic society, a society in which persons are supposed to determine their common affairs together, on equal terms. But why exactly is democracy valuable? How should these values be weighed against the liberty of donors and the many social benefits that philanthropy promises? The Tyranny of Generosity explores these questions by applying tools of political philosophy to various topics in the practice of philanthropy: the respective roles of philanthropy and government, public subsidies for private giving, the use of donations for political speech, instruments of perpetual giving, the proliferation of giving by commercial corporations, and "effective altruism" as a guide for individual giving. These studies build to a surprising conclusion: realizing the democratic ideal may be impossible without philanthropy-but making philanthropy safe for democracy also requires radical changes to policy and practice"-- Provided by publisher The practice of philanthropy, which releases private property for public purposes, represents in many ways the best angels of our nature. But this practice's noteworthy virtues often obscure the fact that philanthropy also represents the exercise of private power. In The Tyranny of Generosity , Theodore Lechterman shows how this private power can threaten the foundations of a democratic society. The deployment of private wealth for public ends may rival the authority of communities to determine their own affairs. And, in societies characterized by wide disparities in wealth, philanthropy often combines with background inequalities to make public decisions overwhelmingly sensitive to the preferences of the rich. Allowing private wealth to dictate social outcomes collides with core commitments of a democratic society, a society in which people are supposed to determine their common affairs together, on equal terms. But why exactly is democracy valuable? How should these values be weighed against the liberty of donors and the many social benefits that philanthropy promises? Lechterman explores these questions by examining various topics in the practice of philanthropy: the respective roles of philanthropy and government, public subsidies for private giving, the use of donations for political speech, instruments of perpetual giving, the rise in giving by commercial corporations, and "effective altruism" as a guide for individual giving. These studies build to a surprising conclusion: realizing the democratic ideal may be impossible without philanthropy--but making philanthropy safe for democracy also requires fundamental changes to policy and practice. 'The Tyranny of Generosity' investigates what democracy demands from philanthropic giving and the policies that structure it. Drawing on political philosophy but addressed to a wide audience, it sheds new light on how philanthropy can both frustrate and facilitate democratic ideals. The author evaluates the respective roles of philanthropy and government, public subsidies for private giving, the use of donations for political speech, instruments of perpetual giving, the rise in giving by commercial corporations, and 'effective altruism' as a guide for individual giving. Written accessibly, it is a book for anyone who's ever had mixed feelings about clicking the 'donate' button or thanking a benefactor Cover 1 The Tyranny of Generosity 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 1. Looking the Gift Horse in the Mouth 12 2. Of Sovereignty and Saints 31 3. A Farewell to Alms 60 4. Donation and Deliberation 86 5. In Usufruct to the Living 116 6. The Effective Altruist’s Political Problem 145 7. Milton Friedman’s Corporate Misanthropy 175 8. Overthrowing the Tyranny of Generosity 202 Notes 212 Bibliography 254 Index 274