Just Giving

Rob Reich is professor of political science and faculty codirector for the Stanford Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at Stanford University. His recent books include Education, Justice, and Democracy.

"[Just Giving] seamlessly combines philosophical rigor with actionable policy implications. The book is an instant classic: it opens up an entirely new research field within political theory, along with new opportunities for cooperation between normative theorists and empirical political scientists. Reich should be commended for his achievement.—Gordon Arlen, Political Science Quarterly "---Gordon Arlen, Political Science Quarterly   --- "Just Giving rigorously documents the power grabs, antidemocratic dominance, and the warehouse-ing of philanthropic gifts to take advantage of tax breaks . . . everyone should read this book— and everyone should be angry." --- "In this groundbreaking monograph, Rob Reich provides the first book‐length political theory of philanthropy. Against the widespread folk view that philanthropy is an unqualified good, Reich argues that certain forms of philanthropy can exacerbate inequality and threaten democratic ideals . . . [it] is an instant classic." --- "An elegant critique of philanthropy as enacted in the modern state." --- "It is well-written with plenty of supporting evidence, and interesting philosophical discussions." --- "Reich judiciously weighs the philosophical pros and cons of tax-subsidised philanthropy."---Edward Luce, Financial Times --- "An instant classic."---David Callahan, Inside Philanthropy --- "In this erudite study, Stanford University political philosopher Rob Reich quotes . . . gems from the history of ideas to explore what he calls the 'plutocratic bias' inherent in large-scale philanthropy today. He treats readers to rich insights from enlightenment philosophers onwards who have criticised the assumption that mega-giving from the mega-rich is something to celebrate."---Linsey McGoey, Times Higher Education --- "Critics take aim at government policy when it fails, in their view, to sufficiently encourage donations to charity. In Just Giving, Rob Reich . . . argues that a more fundamental question needs to be asked: Why should government policies encourage philanthropy at all?"---Leslie Lenkowsky, Wall Street Journal --- "Surveying philanthropy from ancient Athens to the modern-day Rockefeller Foundation, and political philosophers from John Stuart Mill to John Rawls, Stanford political science professor Reich . . . mounts a wide-ranging critique of charity and the government preferments that subsidize it. . . . A lucid, thought-provoking analysis of the public impact of charity." --- "A Choice Outstanding Academic Title of the Year" --- "One of the LSE Marshall Institute's Books of 2019" --- "Inside Philanthropy's Philanthropy Critic of 2018"