Philanthropic Landscapes: The Value of Civil Society & The Practice of Philanthropy

Philanthropic Landscapes is a collection of 36 essays published over many years. It is a passionate, reasoned, and practical look at the potential and challenges of civil society, with a special emphasis on the role of philanthropy and nonprofits. While much social thought and policy work politicizes nearly all issues and problems as requiring state “solutions,” these essays present an alternative and powerful view of civil society as a more robust, non-political “commonwealth of citizenship outside the state.” It is a basic tenet of traditional liberalism and a bulwark for democracy, diversity and freedom. Section One focuses on reviving the long tradition of civil society and bringing it back into what is too often a lopsided discussion. The old dichotomy between society and state is a very important one. Civil society is that independent arena of human action and community engagement based on voluntary, cooperative relationships and associations, markets, family, etc. It is admittedly a complex, often messy, and unplanned order that can be a difficult concept to grasp. It stands in contrast to the state or government, which has the monopoly of force in and over society. Theoretically and historically, this contrast — this different way of seeing social action — has proven to be a recurring theme in the history of the United States and throughout the world. Thinkers have sought ways to protect and expand voluntary institutions. Activists in many hotspots have sought civil society as an alternative to tyranny and the modern liberal state. Robert Putnam, Elinor Ostrom, Gene Sharp, and Lester Salamon are among the many authors discussed in these essays. One of the problems of exploring and describing civil society is how to measure it. Perhaps we need a useful, different concept of citizenship. Whatever the relevance of voting as citizenship, there is another, dynamic, way to measure a robust citizenship in civil society. Studying the extent to which people give and volunteer — that is, philanthropy — may help us understand the relative health of or dangers to social and political life. Instead of viewing social life “only” through the lens of the state, then, efforts to support, protect, and expand philanthropy and civil society may be a necessary element for a humane society and against totalitarian presumptions. Section Two focuses on philanthropy as a critical part of civil society. Defined broadly to include both the giving side (individual donations, foundations, etc.) and the side of recipient institutions of the nonprofit sector, philanthropy is a contested reality that makes both a significant contribution and often fails miserably to do so. Some of the relevant factors for this schizophrenic existence are explored. Some recent writing is politicizing the discussion about philanthropy and, intentionally or not, promoting efforts to subsume it under a great deal more political and government lordship. These essays do not engage the more recent critiques. They to outline different ways to think about philanthropy, assess it, and make it more successful. Chapters address a variety of important practical issues, such as philanthropic hubris and leadership; the limits of strategy philanthropy; the intergenerational transfer of wealth to philanthropy underway; payout rates and perpetuity of foundations; governance and board responsibilities; family philanthropy; as well as donor intent and donor legacy. The value of civil society and the practice of philanthropy are intimately related. Their relative independence from the politicizing juggernaut of current thought can be sustained only with critical thought, humility, and open conversations. Only by doing so can we revive the American dream.