In Philanthrocapitalism: How the Rich Can Save the World, Matthew Bishop suggests that the world is now witnessing a new breed of the super-wealthy who are turning their energies, business know-how, and passion to philanthropic ends, with every prospect that they will succeed where generations of more traditional and staid philanthropy haven't. In Just Another Emperor? The Myths and Realities of Philanthrocapitalism, Michael Edwards insists to the contrary that relying on the super-wealthy to solve global problems is to neglect what should be one of the fundamental purposes of philanthropy and civil society, namely, to provide a counterbalance to the influence of wealth on behalf of social justice.
On Thursday, April 9, these two authors came face to face to discuss these and other questions, along with GlobalGiving CEO Dennis Whittle, one of the leading practitioners of this approach (and former economist and head of the strategy and innovation groups at the World Bank). This discussion, co-hosted by Hudson Institute's Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal and Hudson Institute's Center for Global Prosperity, was moderated by the Center for Prosperity's Carol Adelman and the Bradley Center's William Schambra.
To read a complete edited transcript of the event click on the "View PDF" link below.