Giving Thought

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 unde