Philanthrocapitalism versus philanthropy for social justice: A North American debate on how to deal with poverty

Abstract

This article analyzes North American philanthropy as a practice through which the rich return part of the wealth they were able to accumulate, and as a mechanism for alleviating the poverty of the less successful. Two forms of philanthropy are analyzed: philantrocapitalism and philanthropy for social justice. In both cases data deriving from research carried out in the United States with representatives of those two perspectives is presented. Philanthropy is discussed in light of the gift, interest and disinterest in social practices, and moral obligation.