To potential international organizations that would spearhead development of impoverished or struggling countries - building infrastructure for clean water, cutting edge sanitation, sustainable energy production, and other essential ingredients for society.
But here’s the thing: The only thing those organizations (which kinda do exist) would need is the monetary returns on wealth; they have no use for factories or Microsoft shares. Therefore, if you were a billionaire trying to do the maximum possible good with your wealth (most of which is tied up in assets), you’d want to give these organizations the cold hard cash you get from your actual wealth while either keeping or gradually selling off said wealth. It’s the same principle as an autocratic regime: Autocratic regimes shouldn’t exist, but if you somehow find yourself in a position of power in one the right thing to do would be to use your power for good, not immediately resign.
I’ll just say that I believe that billionaires could be enabling the creation of a better society and world order in any number of more meaningful ways - without resigning or blowing significant chunks of their wealth.
Absolutely. I’m not defending any billionaire or group of billionaires here, only pushing back against the idea that “if a billionaire cared about humanity, they’d give over the vast amount of their wealth immediately.”
But here’s the thing: The only thing those organizations (which kinda do exist) would need is the monetary returns on wealth; they have no use for factories or Microsoft shares. Therefore, if you were a billionaire trying to do the maximum possible good with your wealth (most of which is tied up in assets), you’d want to give these organizations the cold hard cash you get from your actual wealth while either keeping or gradually selling off said wealth. It’s the same principle as an autocratic regime: Autocratic regimes shouldn’t exist, but if you somehow find yourself in a position of power in one the right thing to do would be to use your power for good, not immediately resign.
I’ll just say that I believe that billionaires could be enabling the creation of a better society and world order in any number of more meaningful ways - without resigning or blowing significant chunks of their wealth.
Absolutely. I’m not defending any billionaire or group of billionaires here, only pushing back against the idea that “if a billionaire cared about humanity, they’d give over the vast amount of their wealth immediately.”