This post builds on the research article “The Impulse of Philanthropy,” which was published in the November 2009 issue of the Society’s peer-reviewed journal, Cultural Anthropology.
Questions for Classroom Discussion
1. How does Bornstein's conception of the gift improve upon Mauss'?
2. What are the effects of a neoliberalization of charitable social movements?
3. Who benefits from the introduction of accountability in philanthropy?
4. How do philanthropy and social structures help create each other?
5. Is it possible or desirable to have both impulsiveness and accountability?
6. How do Hindu ideas of giving compare to other religious forms of giving, such as Christian charity or Islamic zakat?
7. How do religious forms of giving relate to secular forms of giving?
Related Readings
Appadurai, Arjun 1985 "Gratitude as a Social mode in South India." Ethos 13(3):236-245.
Derrida, Jacques 1992 Given Time: I. Counterfeit Money. P. Kamuf, trans. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Haynes, Douglas E.v1987 "From Tribute to Philanthropy: The Politics of Gift Giving in a Western indian City." Journal of Asian Studies 46(2): 339-360.
Viswanath, Priya 2003 Diaspora Indians -- On the Philanthropy Fast-Track. Mumbai: CAP.
Wilson, Richard Ashby, and Richard Brown 2009 Humanitarianism and Suffering: The Mobilization of Empathy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.