Lambin, Roosa, Roberts, Jonathan 
ORCID: 0000-0003-4827-867X and Surender, Rebecca
(2025)
Introduction to the Handbook on Philanthropy and Social Policy.
In: Lambin, Roosa, Roberts, Jonathan and Surender, Rebecca, (eds.)
Handbook on Philanthropy and Social Policy.
Elgar Handbooks in Social Policy and Welfare series.
Edward Elgar, Cheltenham, UK, 2 - 20.
ISBN 9781035309849
Abstract
Philanthropy at scale has re-emerged as an influential global force within social policy design and programmes. This chapter describes the emerging interest in the academic study of ‘Big Philanthropy’ and highlights the lack of dedicated analysis of philanthropy from a social policy lens, to which the present Handbook is a response. The chapter provides an initial conceptual underpinning for the chapters that follow. It explores the contested and contextual idea of philanthropy and introduces the Handbook's focus on monetary giving at large scale by the wealthy elite. It specifies the boundaries of ‘social policy’ applied in this volume, which encompasses a broad range of activities, fields, and actors. It introduces a set of current debates and arguments about the role of philanthropy within social policy and within democratic societies more generally – debates that have become more frequent and significant with the global expansion of philanthropy. The chapter concludes with short overviews of the remaining 23 chapters in this volume.
| Item Type: | Book Section |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | © 2025 The Editors and Contributors Severally |
| Divisions: | The Marshall Institute |
| Subjects: | H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology |
| Date Deposited: | 07 Jul 2025 10:18 |
| Last Modified: | 07 Jul 2025 10:18 |
| URI: | http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/128648 |
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