Book Review: Philanthropy in Democratic Societies: History, Institutions, and Values
By Juniper Glass, PhiLab
Philanthropy in Democratic Societies: History, Institutions, Values, Edited by Rob Reich, Chiara Cordelli and Lucy Bernholz, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2016, ISBN: 978-0-226-33550-6
Philanthropy is a “hybrid and ever-changing form of public and private power” (p.7). This is the central image of philanthropy – in flux, contested, and always in relationship to market and state – that emerges from Philanthropy in Democratic Societies,an edited volume of 10 highly diverse articles by historians, philosophers, legal scholars, and social scientists.The title of the book is somewhat of a misnomer. “Philanthropy in American Society” would have been more apt, as all examples come from a US context. Nevertheless, there are enough parallels between the development of US and Canadian philanthropic concepts, laws, and practices to make the volume relevant for students, researchers, and practitioners in this country.
Tags: Canada, Change, Charitable Tax Policy, Community, Impact, Leadership, Philanthropy, Social Change, Social Finance, United States