Should we be grateful for “Twiggy”?

“Twiggy” and Nicola  Forrest  are the first Australasians to sign the Giving Pledge.  They pledge to give away half of their fortune during their lifetime.   You can read their actual pledge letter here.   “Twiggy”, of course, is no stranger to controversy.  There are more than a few who are vocal in opposition to his business activities and his views on indigenous issues.  If you are one of the few who haven’t heard these debates (or have forgotten)  it’s worth a read of this ABC Four Corners transcript.  Or just scan some of the headlines compiled by Crikey.

Should we be grateful or should we be alarmed by the capacity of 115 or so mega rich signatories to the Pledge to intervene in national or global affairs?  The Forrests propose to work with governments and other organizations to deal with issues related to aboriginal communities and to modern slavery.  Bill and Melinda Gates already work with governments and NGOs across the world to deal with problems in education and health.   Others on the list have similar broad reaching agenda.

Ought we to be concerned that individuals such as the Forrests and the Gateses have been able to accumulate mind boggling wealth and influence?  Or ought we to recognize that the rich like death and taxes will be always with us?

I adopt the latter policy.  It is not within my capacity to change the rules of global power and wealth.  As fundraiser I can do my bit in a small corner of the philanthropic ecosystem.  My small contribution is to encourage the very wealthy to think seriously about doing good.
The truth is that the very rich will continue, as they have done since the beginning of time in all cultures, to be philanthropic.  There are varying schools of thought as to their motivations - religious belief, search for meaning, guilt?   The one quality that potentially all have in common is what US sociologist Paul Schervish calls ‘hyperagency’ .   In layperson terms this is self-belief and ability to get things done multiplied hundredfold.

So yes, I celebrate Twiggy and Nicola and all the others joining the Giving Pledge and the hundreds and thousands of other wealthy people who are philanthropic.

Footnote: There is an interesting debate on a similar issue here in the Gawker.com  and Forbes.com  blogs,  ‘Do the Good Rich Exist’ and  ‘Yes the Good Rich do exist’