"Private Virtues, Public Vices is essential reading for navigating our present-day collision course between widespread economic inequality and democratic governance."

The Review of Politics

"Ms. Saunders-Hastings, a political scientist at Ohio State University, believes that philanthropy is in tension with democracy—may even be harmful to it. Her critique is worth taking seriously. . ."

The Wall Street Journal

"In Private Virtues, Public Vices: Philanthropy and Democratic Equality, Emma Saunders-Hastings reminds us that contributing private wealth for the public good—by definition—has always been a political act. . . . the book is timely—and timeless, for it goes beyond calling for reforms to suggest a framework for thinking not only about philanthropy but also about democracy, equality, and justice."

Philanthropy News Digest

"Saunders-Hastings’ book is of great relevance, as it uncovers the fundamental interests behind most philanthropic giving, other than addressing widening inequality, escalating poverty, and other global concerns. . . . a must-read for all who have a keen interest in philanthropic work on a national and international level."

Voluntas

“The best philosophical illumination of the tension-ridden relationship between philanthropy and democracy. Better still, in exploring the institutional design of contemporary philanthropy, Saunders-Hastings makes original contributions to democratic theory itself, especially as concerns the relationship between ideal and non-ideal theory and the basis of objections to paternalism.”

Rob Reich, Stanford University

“Philanthropy is a hot topic these days. This crisply and clearly written book reframes the ethical discussion focused on rich people/countries’ debt to those less well-off and recasts practical concerns about effective giving to focus on the politics and power of giving. Private Virtues, Public Vices poses challenging questions in this age of global inequality. Saunders-Hastings couples precise arguments with thoughtfully chosen real-world examples to convey a strong sense of urgency.”

Lisa Jane Disch, University of Michigan