{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Rob Reich - Philanthropy, Democracy & Inequality","description":"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 My book My blog "Philanthropy: Anti-Democratic and Proud of it?" ","author_name":"Giving Thought","author_url":"https:\/\/www.cafonline.org\/about-us\/","html":"