Generosity vs. altruism: Philanthropy and charity in the United States and United Kingdom

This paper offers a comparative analysis of the ethos and behavior of giving in the United States and the United Kingdom, specifically examining its relationship to civic life. It highlights significant disparities in overall giving levels between the two countries, with individual giving in the US consistently around 2% of GDP compared to less than 1% in the UK. The study identifies differences in giving ethos and behavior, postulating two models—generosity and altruism—to explain these variations and their implications for charitable practices.