Mutual Aid, Charity & Philanthropy

<p>In this episode we explore mutual aid: what is it, why is there so much interest in it right now and how does it relate to charity and philanthropy? Including:</p> <ul> <li>Defining the distinction between mutual aid and charity</li> <li>William Beveridge’s thoughts on mutual aid</li> <li>Peter Kropotkin and mutual aid as a fundamental element of human nature</li> <li>How does mutual aid relate to notions of solidarity and class identity?</li> <li>Why has mutual aid historically been so important for marginalised groups such as immigrant communities?</li> <li>Medieval mutual aid: the guilds</li> <li>Why did mutual aid become so prominent in the 19th century?</li> <li>What were the Friendly Societies, why were they important and why are they no longer around?</li> <li>How does mutual aid fit in with the post-WWII development of the voluntary sector?</li> <li>Why has mutual aid become so prominent as an idea during the pandemic?</li> <li>Is this a reflection of the unique circumstances of the pandemic or will it herald any longer-term changes in civil society?</li> <li>Does the enthusiasm for mutual aid networks demonstrate an unmet appetite for greater participation in addressing social causes?</li> <li>Is there a dark side to mutual aid? Can solidarity become exclusionary?</li> <li>Will the growth of mutual aid come at the cost of more traditional charitable giving and volunteering?</li> <li>Do mutual aid networks build social capital? If so, is it merely “bonding” social capital or also “bridging”?</li> <li>What is the role of technology in making mutual aid networks possible?</li> <li>What can we learn from other cultures of giving around the world in which mutual aid is much more prominent?</li> </ul> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p><strong>Related Links</strong></p> <ul> <li>CAF Giving Thought blog, “<a href= "https://www.cafonline.org/about-us/blog-home/giving-thought/the-role-of-giving/charity-philanthropy-and-mutual-aid-post-covid">Charity, Philanthropy & Mutual Aid</a>”</li> <li>