Questioning generosity in the golden age of philanthropy: Towards critical geographies of super-philanthropy. (October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hay, Iain; Muller, Samantha
• Is Part Of: Progress in human geography. Volume 38:Number 5(2014:Oct.)
• Page Start: 635
• Page End: 653
• Publication Date: 2014-10
• Subjects: geography -- inequality -- philanthrocapitalism -- philanthropy -- super-rich -- wealth; Human geography -- Periodicals; 304.2
• DOI: 10.1177/0309132513500893
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0309-1325

Abstract

This is the golden age of philanthropy. Over the 55-year period 1998–2052, bequests to charity in the USA alone are estimated to be between $109 and $454 billion per year. This paper exhorts geographers to give critical attention to less-than-charitable consequences of the so-called 'new philanthropy' among the super-rich. It sets out a number of areas that appear to warrant critical geographical inquiry, including: bonds between philanthropic engagement and place; diaspora philanthropy; jurisdictional taxation arrangements favouring the wealthy and super-rich; characteristics of culturally variegated philanthropy; and philanthropy's geographical links with spaces of exploitation and territories of guilt.