Civil Society — Lenore Ealy on Philanthropy and Social Design

On this episode of the Hayek Program Podcast, we continue our three-part miniseries on Civil Society, hosted by Mikayla Novak who explores civil society, encompassing the practical nature of voluntary mutual assistance outside but entangled with the domains of market and state, the theoretical dimensions of civil society, and the intersection of classical liberalism and civil society.

Joining Novak for this episode is Lenore Ealy, vice-rector internacional at Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala, discussing the history of philanthropy and social design. Ealy begins by describing her work with Richard Cornuelle, sparking Ealy’s early interest in understanding philanthropy, the history of civil society, and liberal individualism. She examines the role of government involvement in nonprofit organizations, learned helplessness, and the problems afflicting philanthropy. She elaborates on our inability to successfully construct an organized social design, referring to the work of Vincent and Elinor Ostrom. Novak and Ealy also discuss ideas of self-scoring poverty, whether humans have a natural desire for freedom, and the meaning of “civil society.”

Lenore Ealy is vice-rector internacional at Universidad Francisco Marroquín in Guatemala, founding president of The Philanthropic Enterprise, and co-editor of numerous books including the book series, Polycentricity: Studies in Institutional Diversity and Voluntary Governance. Ealy holds a PhD in the history of moral and political thought from John Hopkins University.