Why Philanthropists Should Become Heretics
Philanthropy and power have always been closely intertwined. Wealthy men in ancient Athens paid for public goods and services, such as naval defenses, under the so-called liturgical system, in which the richest citizens financed some functions of the state. In many Islamic societies, propertied Muslims have ceded parts of their fortunes to charitable waqf entities that have funded services such as soup kitchens and hospitals. In early-modern Europe, the Medicis and other potentates created what were the microfinance schemes of their time, lending small sums of money to poor citizens.
Those philanthropists faced an abiding tradeoff between embracing an existing order and seeking to challenge it.… Seguir leyendo »
