Today, the New York Times ran an opinion piece that perfectly addresses this week’s topic. Called “As Government Retrenches, Philanthropy Booms”, the piece tackles the question of accountability in philanthropic giving, whether mega-donors are simply advancing their own interests, and why our system allows them to.

The author, David Callahan, argues for increased oversight and transparency, especially for large donors and for issues of public policy, so that we know where money is coming from. He also makes a case for stricter limits on tax-deductible giving to restrain the tendency of billionaires to give money to causes that directly benefit them or their worldview and not the greater public.

Finally, Callahan makes the case (that I agree with) that the present situation is largely driven by massive levels of inequality in America, which allows the rich to have a much larger say in society.