Social Justice in the Age of Philanthropy

Cobb and Nelson critique contemporary philanthropic practices claiming to promote social justice, highlighting tensions between technocratic models and justice-oriented values. They advocate for philanthropy to transcend managerialism, emphasizing alignment with grassroots movements and systemic transformation. The article argues that philanthropy's true potential for social justice lies in mechanisms of "power with others," through cooperation and learning, while also acknowledging the persistent "power over" dimensions. It introduces "radical philanthropy" as an alternative to "philanthro-capitalism," stressing the importance of considering collective action for systemic change.