2024

In the wake of his recent article “Think Tanks Have Defeated Democracy,” the economist and policy analyst talks to Michael E. Hartmann about populism and the role of tax-incentivized philanthropy in supporting think tanks, how best to consider reforming the nonprofit sector, and how artificial intelligence might radically reshape it.

Philanthropy is uniquely unsuited for involvement in American politics. Indeed, what it considers its political strengths turn out to be serious liabilities. Nothing demonstrates this better than its role in the 2024 presidential election.