Philanthropy Perspectives

Paper Summary:

The paper examines Claire Gaudiani's "Democracy, Capitalism, and Generosity: The Fragile Balance" and is of the opinion that it offers potentially useful information, but contains an unappealing and selfish personal agenda to praise and idealize the rich in an effort to curry favor with them. The paper compares this article to Susan Berresford's "Philanthropy of the 21st Century." The paper asserts that this article is more informative and de-romanticizes philanthropy and the rich, while exploring some of their true motivations for their giving wealth to strangers for the betterment of American society and life.

From the Paper:

"Maybe I am so cynical about the American rich today, and those who transparently cozy up to them for reflected glory or personal gain, that I am blind to the shining armor of an elite think tank fellow and ex-college president (married to a Pfizer executive) who colluded with Pfizer, while serving as ritzy Connecticut College's then-President, against New London, Connecticut residents for their private property. Claire Gaudiani (who now instead pens books and articles on philanthropy) resigned her post as Connecticut College President under pressure for financial mismanagement of one of the priciest liberal arts schools anywhere (Basinger, October 27, 2000)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Basinger, Julianne. "Under Fire from Students and Professors, President of Connecticut College Quits." Chronicle of Higher Education [Online]. October 27, 2000. Retrieved March 10, 2006, from: <http://chronicle.com/errors.dir/ noauthorization.php3?page=/weekly/v47/i09/09a04001.htm>.
• Berresford, Susan. "Philanthropy of the 21st Century." The Ford Foundation. Retrieved March 10, 2006, from: <http://www.fordfound.org/news/view _speeches _detail.cfm?news_index=112.html>.
• Gaudiani, Claire. "Democracy, Capitalism, and Generosity: The Fragile Balance." In The Greater Good: How Philanthropy Drives the American Economy and can Save Capitalism. New York: Times Books; 1st edition (September 10, 2003). 9-31.

More papers on Philanthropy Perspectives:

• Term Paper # 145699 : "Corporate Social Responsibility from an Islamic Law Perspective"
• Case Study # 30374 : "The Future of Philanthropy and Charity"
• Book Review # 103718 : "Social Development"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: