In Brazil, we are witnessing a transition from capitalism, from a company in which the whole family worked, to a company professionally managed by others.

In this transition, administrators gain status and family heirs lose social status as they are removed from power.

Harvard University, progressive that it is, saw this transition in 1908, and realized that there was a possibility of silently “taking over” capitalism.

They created the Harvard Business School, already offering Post-Graduation, alongside Law, Medicine and Theology, with a lot of resistance.

The idea was to oblige future administrators to have a humanistic education in graduation, and to teach socially responsible administration in post-graduation.

It is in this context that American philanthropy emerges, a way for the heirs of these companies to keep themselves busy and retain their social status.

Over the next 10 years, $45 trillion will be donated in the form of bequests to the next generation worldwide, such is the size of the future market for philanthropy.

That is, there is a new space to be explored by Think Tanks, not the usual donors, but new donors who need to be sought out and convinced for the cause of social research.

Follow the Thinkers-Brasil social networks to be part of this community.

Stephen Kanitz