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Rob Reich
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Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better Paperback – May 5, 2020

by Rob Reich (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 70 ratings
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The troubling ethics and politics of philanthropy

Is philanthropy, by its very nature, a threat to today’s democracy? Though we may laud wealthy individuals who give away their money for society’s benefit, Just Giving shows how such generosity not only isn’t the unassailable good we think it to be but might also undermine democratic values. Big philanthropy is often an exercise of power, the conversion of private assets into public influence. And it is a form of power that is largely unaccountable and lavishly tax-advantaged. Philanthropy currently fails democracy, but Rob Reich argues that it can be redeemed. Just Giving investigates the ethical and political dimensions of philanthropy and considers how giving might better support democratic values and promote justice.

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Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Princeton University Press
  4. Publication date
    May 5, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0691202273
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0691202273
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Inside Philanthropy's Philanthropy Critic of 2018"

"One of the LSE Marshall Institute's Books of 2019"

"A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year"

"Just Giving breaks ground in its outright challenge of philanthropy’s fit with democracy. Reich is at his best when demonstrating the ways in which philanthropy fails to fulfil its egalitarian promise."---Ian Anstee, Voluntary Sector Review

Review

"Brilliantly argued. . . . Essential reading for anyone worried about money in politics."―Larissa MacFarquhar

"Reich judiciously weighs the philosophical pros and cons of tax-subsidised philanthropy."―Edward Luce, Financial Times

"[Reich] treats readers to rich insights from enlightenment philosophers onwards who have criticised the assumption that mega-giving from the mega-rich is something to celebrate."―Linsey McGoey, Times Higher Education

"An instant classic."―David Callahan, Inside Philanthropy

"Anyone engaged in serious philanthropy needs to wrestle with Reich’s analysis."―Larry Kramer, president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

"An essential treatise on the role of philanthropy in our democracy. . . . Reich challenges us to wield the power of giving for justice."―Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation

"A welcome reflection on the public morality of the not-for-profit sector."―Glyn Davis, Inside Story

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Princeton University Press (May 5, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0691202273
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0691202273
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 70 ratings

About the author

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Rob Reich

Rob Reich

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Professor of Political Science, Stanford University

Director, Center for Ethics in Society

Co-Director, Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society

Associate Director, Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

https://robreich.stanford.edu

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
70 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

S S
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for anyone who wants to make a positive impact in the world
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is extremely well-researched and informative, while at the same time being highly engaging and approachable. Rob Reich channels his years of research and teaching at Stanford, and his real-world experience and involvement with world-changing innovators and philanthropists to bring a unique perspective. It will inspire you and teach you, and be an enjoyable read!
11 people found this helpful
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J. H.
3.0 out of 5 stars Just Running in Circles
Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2023
He gives great nuances on philanthropy, contemporary issues, and potential solutions. However, this is a book for people with advanced degrees, as this was recommended to me for my independent study by someone who stated this was a book being discussed by other scholars. Overall, very dense and he doesn't seem to really complete the circles he is running in. Regardless, I feel like this could be a great book if you never considered philanthropy through the perspectives of moral psychology and political philosophy. Plus, if you have a PhD in organizational studies then hopefully you will not be falling asleep if you make the mistake of listening to this on Audible like I did.
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James
4.0 out of 5 stars Learned a lot
Reviewed in the United States on June 6, 2019
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He is far to the left, but raised great points, but few answers. He is bissed
2 people found this helpful
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Cheryl M Keilman
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2019
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Great read
3 people found this helpful
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Jack Bowen
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read, For Many Big-Picture Reasons
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2018
In short, this book is a great read.

On the one hand, it’s a great vehicle for sparking big-picture discussions about such oft-challenging and abstract concepts as justice, fairness, power, and democracy in general. And on the other hand, it explores the real-world issue of philanthropy and related policy which needs to be addressed and, somewhat surprisingly, hasn’t been examined in a rigorous, accessible manner…until now.

The writing is clear and well-cited. And it’s a great example, too, of good, rigorous thinking. Even (maybe, even, especially) if you disagree with the argument laid out in this book, it’s well worth examining through this lens and considering what we all might be missing in hopes of creating a more just society.

All the while, Reich not just frames the problem but puts forth a solution rooted in policy as a means for allowing and encouraging philanthropy and charitable giving in a way that avoid the injustices he lays out.

So, read this book to think about something new; to more deeply consider what it means for a democracy to be truly democratic, and to get a glimpse at how an expert in the field might challenge and enlighten your current ideas on the topic.
10 people found this helpful
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Deep Mookim
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and insightful read
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2019
Has deeply informed my view of philanthropy and my subsequent research related to the philanthropic sector.
One person found this helpful
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John Adams
1.0 out of 5 stars Not for the Layperson
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2022
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This book is written as a thesis paper for a college master's program.

The author's findings and opinions could easily be conveyed in a book about one-third the length of this one.
One person found this helpful
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Henry Timms
5.0 out of 5 stars Important, timely and challenging
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2018
A terrific analysis of the democratic costs and opportunities of philanthropy. This book could not come at a better moment, not deliver a more important prescription for "where next". A great read. Highly recommended.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

bernard Kervyn
3.0 out of 5 stars Thought provoking but far too many repetitions which only weaken the arguments and interest. I would think it would gain to be 50% more concise without losing any valu, quite the opposite.
Reviewed in France on August 22, 2021
Verified Purchase
Thought provoking but far too many repetitions which only weaken the arguments and interest. I would think it would gain to be 50% more concise without losing any value, quite the opposite. Must reading for foundations.
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Barkyd
3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, why and how.
Reviewed in Canada on March 12, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book is a difficult read as it is heavily academic in nature. At the end, I did not come away with any conclusions either on why philanthropy, nor how it can do better. It comes across more as a rationalized running in circles.
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Ana Hey
5.0 out of 5 stars very contemporary matter.
Reviewed in Brazil on February 20, 2019
Verified Purchase
serious and competent research work!
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