Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better Paperback – May 5, 2020

This book is extremely well-researched and informative, while at the same time being highly engaging and approachable. Rob Reich channels his years of research and teaching at Stanford, and his real-world experience and involvement with world-changing innovators and philanthropists to bring a unique perspective. It will inspire you and teach you, and be an enjoyable read!

He gives great nuances on philanthropy, contemporary issues, and potential solutions. However, this is a book for people with advanced degrees, as this was recommended to me for my independent study by someone who stated this was a book being discussed by other scholars. Overall, very dense and he doesn't seem to really complete the circles he is running in. Regardless, I feel like this could be a great book if you never considered philanthropy through the perspectives of moral psychology and political philosophy. Plus, if you have a PhD in organizational studies then hopefully you will not be falling asleep if you make the mistake of listening to this on Audible like I did.

He is far to the left, but raised great points, but few answers. He is bissed

Great read

In short, this book is a great read.On the one hand, it’s a great vehicle for sparking big-picture discussions about such oft-challenging and abstract concepts as justice, fairness, power, and democracy in general. And on the other hand, it explores the real-world issue of philanthropy and related policy which needs to be addressed and, somewhat surprisingly, hasn’t been examined in a rigorous, accessible manner…until now.The writing is clear and well-cited. And it’s a great example, too, of good, rigorous thinking. Even (maybe, even, especially) if you disagree with the argument laid out in this book, it’s well worth examining through this lens and considering what we all might be missing in hopes of creating a more just society.All the while, Reich not just frames the problem but puts forth a solution rooted in policy as a means for allowing and encouraging philanthropy and charitable giving in a way that avoid the injustices he lays out.So, read this book to think about something new; to more deeply consider what it means for a democracy to be truly democratic, and to get a glimpse at how an expert in the field might challenge and enlighten your current ideas on the topic.

Has deeply informed my view of philanthropy and my subsequent research related to the philanthropic sector.

This book is written as a thesis paper for a college master's program.The author's findings and opinions could easily be conveyed in a book about one-third the length of this one.

A terrific analysis of the democratic costs and opportunities of philanthropy. This book could not come at a better moment, not deliver a more important prescription for "where next". A great read. Highly recommended.

Thought provoking but far too many repetitions which only weaken the arguments and interest. I would think it would gain to be 50% more concise without losing any value, quite the opposite. Must reading for foundations.

The book is a difficult read as it is heavily academic in nature. At the end, I did not come away with any conclusions either on why philanthropy, nor how it can do better. It comes across more as a rationalized running in circles.

serious and competent research work!