Global Social Capitalism: Using Enterprise to Solve the Problems of the World

Abstract

We are experiencing a global paradigmatic change in the relationships between government(s), education, philanthropy and business. The ways in which social and educational problems are being organised and addressed, nationally and globally, are changing in response to the methods of 'new' philanthropy and the privileging of 'market-based' solutions to these problems. The new sensibilities of giving and social 'investment' have led to increasing use of commercial and enterprise models of practice as a new generic form of philanthropic organisation, practice and language -venture philanthropy, philanthropic investments and portfolios, due diligence, entrepreneurial solutions, etc. New philanthropy is bringing new players into the field of social and education policy, repopulating and reworking existing policy networks. The first part of the article explores succinctly some key concepts involved in the ongoing changes in the roles and methods of philanthropy, configuring what the authors refer to as 'philanthropic governance'. The second part focuses on the identification of sets of new actors within new networks of policy, of which philanthropy is a part. More concretely, the authors analyse here specific 'generative nodes', such as the Clinton Global Initiative, which connect and facilitate the creation of partnerships between actors from the public and the private sector. The article concludes by highlighting how the shifts and moves involved here are made up of and driven by a complex set of advocacy networks, business interests, 'new' philanthropy, and changes in the form and modalities of the state.Philanthropy is fashionable again. The rich want to give, they want to solve the problems of the world, and governments are attracted by the influx of new money, new ideas and new forms of service delivery, especially in the face of constant criticism of the failings of public sector organisations. The ways in which social and educational problems are being organised and addressed, nationally and globally, are changing in response to the methods of 'new' philanthropy and the privileging of 'market-based' solutions to these problems. 'We are now officially in the era of "phylantrepreneurs" where the difference between a VC [venture capital] fund and a foundation, a hot start-up and social venture become totally blurry ' (Marinucci, 2007).These new sensibilities of giving and social 'investment' have led to increasing use of commercial and enterprise models of practice as a new generic form of philanthropic organisation, practice and language -venture philanthropy, philanthropic investments and portfolios, due diligence, entrepreneurial solutions, etc. The 'new' philanthropists want to see clear and measurable impacts and outcomes from their 'investments' of time and money. New philanthropy is bringing new players into the field of social and education policy, repopulating and reworking existing policy networks. This reconfiguration rests upon a double moral shift in the conception of the relationship betwee...

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