• Just Giving

  • Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better
  • By: Rob Reich
  • Narrated by: Matthew Josdal
  • Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
  • 3.7 out of 5 stars (26 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Just Giving  By  cover art

Just Giving

By: Rob Reich
Narrated by: Matthew Josdal
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.19

Buy for $17.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

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 reveals how such generosity not only isn't the unassailable good we think it to be but might also undermine democratic values and set back aspirations of justice.

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, often perpetual, and lavishly tax-advantaged. The affluent - and their foundations - reap vast benefits even as they influence policy without accountability. And small philanthropy, or ordinary charitable giving, can be problematic as well. Charity, it turns out, does surprisingly little to provide for those in need and sometimes worsens inequality. These outcomes are shaped by the policies that define and structure philanthropy. When, how much, and to whom people give is influenced by laws governing everything from the creation of foundations and nonprofits to generous tax exemptions for donations of money and property. Rob Reich asks: What attitude and what policies should democracies have concerning individuals who give money away for public purposes?

©2018 Princeton University Press (P)2019 Tantor

What listeners say about Just Giving

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    5
  • 4 Stars
    4
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    6
  • 4 Stars
    3
  • 3 Stars
    8
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

thought for booking ideas but very academic

I love many of the ideas presented here but the form and language used is highly academic and formal, which unfortunately makes it not accessible too many. I hope he creates other formats to share this information and his theory in ways that are more accessible to the general public as this is an important message that needs to get out.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Interesting read

I have been in the non profit/foundation world my entire life. My university study was in political science, psychology, and theology. I didn’t just listen, I read along with my copy and am thankful Prof. Reich has put his ideas to print.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Great criticism of Philanthropy

Very astutely points out the shortcomings of philanthropy. Most philanthropy does not benefit the poor, as many assume. The US structure overwhelmingly rewards richer people for philanthropy, for no clear reason, resulting in the favored causes of the rich to be the beneficiaries of most money.

There’s many great arguments on the inequity inherent in the US system. But it is very dry, academic, and repetitive by the end. Great argument, just not engaging enough to say it’s overwhelmingly 5 stars.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Just Giving

I am Just giving this book away! It makes no sense. Very confusing, the writing goes in circles. This book does not hold the readers attention.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!