The Transnational Politics of Philanthropy - (Global Perspectives on Philanthropy and Public Good) by Bertram Lang (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

How does philanthropy function and gain legitimacy within an authoritarian system - and what does this mean for the global philanthropic landscape? Drawing on rich empirical data and a mixed-methods approach, this book reveals how transnational dynamics have shaped the rise of Chinese philanthropy in an authoritarian context - and how, in turn, it is increasingly influencing the future of global philanthropy.

Combining insights from fieldwork in China and text mining of philanthropy-related news reports and online fundraising data, the book provides a fresh picture of China's dynamic philanthropy landscape. It ranges from Tencent Foundation's promotion of an ebullient internet philanthropy and the strategic 'charitisation' of grassroots NGOs to traditional party-state foundations working to professionalise their operations in an increasingly competitive fight for resources. It crucially links these organisation-level strategies to broader political developments in the context of China's evolving Belt and Road initiative and its engagement with developing countries as well as the UN system.

This timely and original contribution is vital reading for scholars interested in the political dimensions of global civil society and China's expanding role in shaping it.

Review Quotes

"Bertram Lang's The Transnational Politics of Philanthropy sheds new light on Chinese philanthropy, a crucially important topic as China rises rapidly. Highly recommended for students, teachers, policy makers, activists and libraries." Mark Sidel, University of Wisconsin-Madison

"With national politics developing as they are, philanthropy and civil society have become bastions of transnationalism. This book provides the theory and could not be more timely." Rupert G. Strachwitz, The Maecenata Foundation

About the Author

Bertram Lang is a political scientist and currently works as Senior Researcher at the Philipps University of Marburg.