Episode 411: Talking philanthropy—yesterday, today, and tomorrow

Talk Policy To Me

On this episode of TPTM, we’re talking philanthropy yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Since the Gilded Age, philanthropists have positioned themselves as gracious, charitable forces in society who are experts in identifying and solving our social ails. But the institution of philanthropy has had its critics from day one. What are the origins of modern philanthropy in the US, and how did they lead us to where we are today? What role (if any) does philanthropy have in a democratic society? And if there are real problems with philanthropy, how should we address them? Should we focus our efforts on implementing regulations and reforms of modern philanthropic institutions? Is our goal to tear down the institution of philanthropy writ large, and put in place a (potentially erosive) wealth tax? Or should we rely on rich people to voluntarily spend down their wealth? Colleen and Reem will dig in to explore the past, present, and possible futures of modern philanthropy in the US.

Want to learn more? Check out these follow-up resources:

• Resource Generation’s Class Privilege Quiz, Giving Pledge, and Class Definitions and Income Brackets
• Resource Generation’s National Partners, Movement for Black Lives and Center for Popular Democracy
• The Revolution Will Not Be Funded by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence
• Decolonizing Wealth by Edgar Villanueva
• Read Laila’s op-ed on the Goldman website
• Find Sophie Dover on Twitter

Philanthropy and Social Movements podcast series by Harvard Kennedy School students

See show notes and full transcript here: https://gspp.berkeley.edu/research-and-impact/news/podcast/episode-411-talking-philanthropy-yesterday-today-and-tomorrow