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Foundations: Their Power and Influence
This is a searching analysis of some of America's most powerful tax-exempt foundations, their actions as opposed to their stated purpose's, the interlocking groups of men who run them, and their influence on the country at large. The author, as counsel to the Reece Committee, which investigated foundations for the last Republican Congress, gained a unique insight into the inner workings of the various Rockefeller, Carnegie and Ford-created giants. He also witnessed the intense and powerful opposition to any investigation of these multi-billion-dollar public trusts. The Reece investigation was virtually hamstrung from the start to its early demise- which was aided and abetted by leading newspaper of the country. "It is difficult for the public to understand," writes Mr. Wormser, "that some of the great foundations which have done so much for us in some fields have acted tragically against the public interest in others, but the facts are there for the unprejudiced to recognize." "The power of the individual foundation giant is enormous. When there is like-mindedness among a group of these giants, which apparently is due to the existence of a closely knit group of professional administrators in the social science field, the power is magnified hugely. When such foundations do good, they justify the tax-exempt status which the people grant them. When they do harm, it can be immense harm - there is virtually no counter-force to oppose them."
428 pages, Hardcover
First published June 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 13, 2024
René A. Wormser’s Foundations: Their Power and Influence, published in 1958, offers a critical investigation of philanthropic foundations in the United States, focusing on their growing influence in shaping public policy, education, and culture. Drawing upon Wormser’s experience as general counsel for the Reece Committee, which conducted a congressional investigation into tax-exempt foundations, the book combines empirical analysis with polemical critique to argue that foundations wield disproportionate and often unaccountable power in society. Although written over six decades ago, the book’s themes resonate with contemporary debates about wealth inequality, the privatization of public goods, and the role of elite institutions in democratic governance.
Wormser’s central thesis is that large philanthropic foundations, such as the Rockefeller, Ford, and Carnegie Foundations, have far exceeded their originally intended purposes of charitable giving and social betterment. Instead, he argues, they operate as instruments of ideological influence, shaping academic research, public policy, and cultural norms in ways that may conflict with democratic accountability. Wormser contends that these foundations act as “shadow governments,” using their resources to promote agendas aligned with elite interests rather than the public good.
The book is divided into sections that examine the historical origins of foundations, their legal and tax-exempt status, and their operations in key sectors such as education, social sciences, and foreign policy. Wormser provides detailed case studies to illustrate how foundations influence these areas. For example, he critiques their role in funding progressive education reforms and international organizations, which he claims often serve to promote globalist or collectivist ideologies.
One of the book’s major strengths lies in its detailed analysis of the structural and legal mechanisms that allow foundations to accumulate and exercise power. Wormser highlights the lack of effective oversight and the ways in which tax-exempt status enables foundations to amass significant financial resources, which can then be deployed with minimal accountability. His critique of the foundations’ influence on academia is particularly incisive, as he examines how funding priorities shape research agendas and intellectual trends, potentially stifling dissenting views.
Wormser’s work is also notable for its historical perspective. By tracing the evolution of foundations from their origins in the Gilded Age to their mid-20th century prominence, he situates them within broader patterns of economic and political change. This historical grounding allows readers to understand the continuity of elite philanthropic influence as well as its specific manifestations during Wormser’s era.
Despite its valuable insights, Foundations is not without its limitations. Wormser’s tone is often polemical, and his critiques can veer into conspiratorial territory. While he raises legitimate concerns about the concentration of power in private hands, his characterization of foundations as monolithic entities advancing a unified agenda oversimplifies their operations and objectives. Foundations are often complex organizations with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities, and Wormser’s analysis occasionally fails to capture this nuance.
Additionally, the book reflects the ideological biases of its time. Wormser’s suspicion of collectivism and internationalism aligns with Cold War-era conservatism, and his critiques of foundations are often framed within this ideological context. While this perspective does not invalidate his arguments, it may limit the book’s appeal to readers with different political orientations.
Despite these shortcomings, Wormser’s work remains relevant for understanding the enduring tensions between private wealth and democratic governance. His critique of foundations’ influence on public policy, particularly in areas such as education and foreign affairs, anticipates contemporary debates about the role of billionaires and philanthropic organizations in addressing global challenges. The book raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and the potential conflicts between private agendas and public interests.
Moreover, the rise of mega-donors and tech philanthropists in the 21st century, such as the Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, echoes many of Wormser’s concerns. His analysis of how concentrated wealth can shape societal priorities offers a valuable lens for critically examining these modern phenomena.
René A. Wormser’s Foundations: Their Power and Influence is a provocative and insightful critique of philanthropic foundations and their role in shaping society. While its polemical tone and ideological biases may limit its academic rigor, the book raises enduring questions about the relationship between private power and public accountability. For scholars and students of political economy, philanthropy, and democratic theory, Wormser’s work offers a foundational text for understanding the complexities and contradictions of elite-driven social change.
GPT
Wormser’s central thesis is that large philanthropic foundations, such as the Rockefeller, Ford, and Carnegie Foundations, have far exceeded their originally intended purposes of charitable giving and social betterment. Instead, he argues, they operate as instruments of ideological influence, shaping academic research, public policy, and cultural norms in ways that may conflict with democratic accountability. Wormser contends that these foundations act as “shadow governments,” using their resources to promote agendas aligned with elite interests rather than the public good.
The book is divided into sections that examine the historical origins of foundations, their legal and tax-exempt status, and their operations in key sectors such as education, social sciences, and foreign policy. Wormser provides detailed case studies to illustrate how foundations influence these areas. For example, he critiques their role in funding progressive education reforms and international organizations, which he claims often serve to promote globalist or collectivist ideologies.
One of the book’s major strengths lies in its detailed analysis of the structural and legal mechanisms that allow foundations to accumulate and exercise power. Wormser highlights the lack of effective oversight and the ways in which tax-exempt status enables foundations to amass significant financial resources, which can then be deployed with minimal accountability. His critique of the foundations’ influence on academia is particularly incisive, as he examines how funding priorities shape research agendas and intellectual trends, potentially stifling dissenting views.
Wormser’s work is also notable for its historical perspective. By tracing the evolution of foundations from their origins in the Gilded Age to their mid-20th century prominence, he situates them within broader patterns of economic and political change. This historical grounding allows readers to understand the continuity of elite philanthropic influence as well as its specific manifestations during Wormser’s era.
Despite its valuable insights, Foundations is not without its limitations. Wormser’s tone is often polemical, and his critiques can veer into conspiratorial territory. While he raises legitimate concerns about the concentration of power in private hands, his characterization of foundations as monolithic entities advancing a unified agenda oversimplifies their operations and objectives. Foundations are often complex organizations with diverse stakeholders and competing priorities, and Wormser’s analysis occasionally fails to capture this nuance.
Additionally, the book reflects the ideological biases of its time. Wormser’s suspicion of collectivism and internationalism aligns with Cold War-era conservatism, and his critiques of foundations are often framed within this ideological context. While this perspective does not invalidate his arguments, it may limit the book’s appeal to readers with different political orientations.
Despite these shortcomings, Wormser’s work remains relevant for understanding the enduring tensions between private wealth and democratic governance. His critique of foundations’ influence on public policy, particularly in areas such as education and foreign affairs, anticipates contemporary debates about the role of billionaires and philanthropic organizations in addressing global challenges. The book raises important questions about accountability, transparency, and the potential conflicts between private agendas and public interests.
Moreover, the rise of mega-donors and tech philanthropists in the 21st century, such as the Gates Foundation and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, echoes many of Wormser’s concerns. His analysis of how concentrated wealth can shape societal priorities offers a valuable lens for critically examining these modern phenomena.
René A. Wormser’s Foundations: Their Power and Influence is a provocative and insightful critique of philanthropic foundations and their role in shaping society. While its polemical tone and ideological biases may limit its academic rigor, the book raises enduring questions about the relationship between private power and public accountability. For scholars and students of political economy, philanthropy, and democratic theory, Wormser’s work offers a foundational text for understanding the complexities and contradictions of elite-driven social change.
GPT
April 3, 2021
Smh please just read this people
December 17, 2021
Outstanding work. Now to find an actual copy of the Committees report and good luck with that task. There is still some very damning and revealing information on the nature of the banality of evil that permeates some aspects of our society. Very well worth picking and up and reading. It should allow and even demand, heightened scrutiny of everything you see, read, or hear about these institutions and organizations and what agenda they're pushing.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews