by Adam Badwound
Small Change: Why Business Won't Save the WorldSomtimes I think, "If I wanted to go into business, I would have gone into business..."
It seems often forgotten that many people – myself included – make an active decision to avoid politics and business. We have a variety of motivations and missions, but we seek change that comes beyond convention. Nonprofit… nonpartisan… we are defined by what we are not. And I think that’s great.
I am reminded of the special nature of civil society as I read Small Change: Why Business Won’t Save the World by Michael Edwards. The primary purpose of the book, in my view, is to be practical by raising challenging questions about the role of business in progressive social change. In response to a wave of “Philanthrocapitalism” (a la Matthew Bishop, Michael Green, et tout le monde), Edwards provides an analysis and critique of the movement, as well as an argument for what he calls “Citizen Philanthropy.”
Edwards sums his message early in the preface, when he argues against a "business-is-best" philosophy:
"That's an attractive proposition, but also a dangerous mirage. Can we compete ourselves into a more cooperative future, or consume our way to conserve the planet's scarce resources, or grow grow our way to out of deep-rooted poverty and oppression, or fight our way to peace?" ..."The claim that business thinking can save the world is a convenient myth for those who occupy positions of great wealth and power; and the constant celebration of the rich and famous individuals is a dangerous distraction from the hard, public work of finding solutions, all of us together" (p. xi).
“Social transformation is not a job to be left to market forces or to the whims of billionaires. Perhaps if we supported the energy and creativity of millions of ordinary people, we could create a foundation for lasting progress that will never come through top-down planning by a new global elite, however well intentioned. When this principle is accepted and philanthropy is reconfigured to be less technocratic and more supportive of people’s own self-development efforts, then change will come – larger than we can control, quicker than we can imagine, and deeper than we could ever hope for by reducing everything to market forces” (pp. xiii-xiv).
To be fair, it seems that his message is meant to provoke debate. He isn’t suggesting that market forces are always inappropriate as a tool to advancing social change. However, he does argue that it can be detrimental to always use market forces in a blind manner.
I was able to hear Edwards speak about the book at an event with Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP) – Bay Area Chapter in early Novemeber, 2010. Speaking to a group of young professionals, aspects of his message seemed to encourage our dedication to advancing social change, no matter the method. He suggested that we think critically about when markets (and associated tools) are appropriate and inappropriate.
I found the book to be an extremely interesting, quick read with some powerful and profound points. Coupled with a re-reading of Philanthrocapitalism, it’s worth knowing these perspectives and the arguments these authors make.
11.12.2010
Job Opportunities: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is currently hiring
Associate Communications Officer
Communications Officer
Evaluation Officer
Associate Communications Officer
Communications Officer
Evaluation Officer
11.09.2010
11.02.2010
11.01.2010
CEP presents Working with Grantees: Keys to Success
You are invited...
Working with Grantees: Keys to Success
November 9, 2010
Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco
4:00 pm presentation, 5:30 pm reception
To achieve their intended impact, grantmaking foundations need strong, productive relationships with grantees. But foundation leaders and program officers often struggle to determine how to build these relationships and to understand what matters most to those they fund.
New research from CEP identifies the keys to success. Drawing on this analysis, and on in-depth interviews with five program officers among the top performers in CEP's dataset, Vice President - Research Ellie Buteau, PhD will share CEP's findings. President Phil Buchanan will facilitate an interactive discussion in which attendees reflect on their own experiences.
A networking reception will follow the presentation.
The event is free of charge, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Whitney Ivie at whitneyi@effectivephilanthropy.org.
This event is sponsored by the James Irvine Foundation.
For more information, click here.
Working with Grantees: Keys to Success
November 9, 2010
Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco
4:00 pm presentation, 5:30 pm reception
To achieve their intended impact, grantmaking foundations need strong, productive relationships with grantees. But foundation leaders and program officers often struggle to determine how to build these relationships and to understand what matters most to those they fund.
New research from CEP identifies the keys to success. Drawing on this analysis, and on in-depth interviews with five program officers among the top performers in CEP's dataset, Vice President - Research Ellie Buteau, PhD will share CEP's findings. President Phil Buchanan will facilitate an interactive discussion in which attendees reflect on their own experiences.
A networking reception will follow the presentation.
The event is free of charge, but space is limited. Please RSVP to Whitney Ivie at whitneyi@effectivephilanthropy.org.
This event is sponsored by the James Irvine Foundation.
For more information, click here.
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