Friday, September 17, 2010

the widow's mites

read this. in short, big plans* to encourage big time philanthropy in china inspires underwhelming response.

is organized extravagant pro-active habitual philanthropy counter current to the communist paradigm? or to confucian sensibilities? or to memories of recent indigence§? or is this simply a congenital chinese affliction? or a reflex hostility to western* presumptuousness?

HOM says it is because chinese are genetically programmed to prefer to gamble with their assets than to give them away. J2 thinks that outside of the judeo-christian tradition it is difficult to persuade someone that his wealth  is not strictly his to keep.

*by bill gates and warren buffet.
†where the government has final responsibility for communal welfare.
‡where your own family comes first before your society.
§the wealthiest in china being all nouveau, perhaps still insecure in their wealth?

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