Anand Giridharadas, author of 'Winners Take All,' discusses capitalism's flaws in a post-pandemic world. He argues that the crisis is a chance to foster a more egalitarian society, while Matthew Taylor brings insights on the role of the state in this transformation. They explore the paradox of philanthropy, questioning whether charity truly alleviates inequality. Additionally, they consider how historical crises have sparked social change, emphasizing the need for collective action and robust public institutions to redefine our future.
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Narrative Choice
Anand Giridharadas shares how he chose the narrative style for "Winners Take All".
He initially wrote as an observer critiquing "MarketWorld," but his editor suggested focusing on individuals grappling with the system.
insights INSIGHT
Role of Government
Governments should handle major public problems, not corporations.
Anand Giridharadas argues against a purely market-based approach for issues like healthcare and racial inequality.
insights INSIGHT
Crisis and Change
The pandemic presents a chance for significant societal change.
Anand Giridharadas warns it could also worsen existing power imbalances, requiring strong leadership and vision.
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In 'Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World,' Anand Giridharadas argues that members of the global elite use their wealth and influence to address social issues in ways that do not fundamentally challenge the systems that perpetuate those issues. The book explores the dynamics between philanthropy, capitalism, and social change, highlighting how market-driven solutions often address symptoms rather than root causes. Giridharadas critiques the limitations of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility, suggesting that true social change requires robust, egalitarian institutions and democratic engagement rather than reliance on the benevolence of the wealthy.
In his 2019 book Winners Take All, Anand Giridharadas launched a searing attack on the global elites. Now he turns his thoughts to the post-pandemic world. Is the crisis an opportunity to create a more egalitarian society? How can the powerful be prevented from exploiting the situation to further entrench their advantages? And could this moment be an opportunity to reinvent the relationship between the citizen, the market and the state? Anand spoke to Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the RSA. You can purchase the book 'Winner Takes All' from Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3dDdD2G. ---------------------------------------------- Intelligence Squared+. The world's best speakers. Your questions. £4.99 per month. Intelligence Squared+ will bring you live, interactive events every week on our new online platform. Just like at our real-life events, you’ll be able to put your questions to our speakers, vote in live polls and interact with other members of the audience. Your subscription will give you access to multiple events featuring the world’s top thinkers and opinion formers, including Thomas Piketty, Margaret Atwood, Clive Woodward, Thomas Friedman, Meera Syal and Paloma Faith. For a full list of Intelligence Squared+ events and to subscribe, click here: https://bit.ly/2yfYIfm.
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