The Transnational Politics of Philanthropy: China’s Rise and Limitations

How does philanthropy function and gain legitimacy within an authoritarian system – and what does this mean for the global philanthropic landscape? Drawing on rich empirical data and a mixed-methods approach, this book reveals how transnational dynamics have shaped the rise of Chinese philanthropy in an authoritarian context – and how, in turn, it is increasingly influencing the future of global philanthropy. Combining insights from fieldwork in China and text mining of philanthropy-related news reports and online fundraising data, the book provides a fresh picture of China’s dynamic philanthropy landscape. It ranges from the Tencent Foundation’s promotion of an ebullient internet philanthropy and the strategic ‘charitisation’ of grassroots NGOs to traditional party-state foundations working to professionalise their operations in an increasingly competitive fight for resources. It crucially links these organisation-level strategies to broader political developments in the context of China’s evolving Belt and Road initiative and its engagement with developing countries as well as the UN system. This timely and original contribution is vital reading for scholars interested in the political dimensions of global civil society and China's expanding role in shaping it.