In Search of Hope : How Civil Society Defends Democracy from Populism

The Fundraiser Who Became a Philanthropist. A leading fundraiser and philanthropist’s memoir about money, power and the common good. John Nickson traces his journey from privilege to purposeful giving, showing how philanthropy, civil society and ordinary citizens can repair divided Britain and renew hope. “ John takes us through his life as a fundraiser for a succession of important organisations, and then his transformation into a philosopher of philanthropy and a philanthropist himself. In doing so, he may well have provided us with some of the answers to the bleak times we are living through – to the rise of authoritarianism, the decline of liberal democracy, the absence of hope in too many people’s lives. John’s book can help. Its fundamental belief in the role of civil society, of collective decision and action, of the value of empathy, of the purposes of philanthropy, can help to steer us to a better world.” – Chris Smith ( Rt Hon Lord Smith of Finsbury, Chancellor of the University of Cambridge) “John Nickson has seen it all in the world of giving… He argues passionately and with an army of witnesses and examples that the very health of our society requires a solid foundation of charity, philanthropy and local responsibility for the myriad of society’s actual needs. He dares to hope that society at large will recognise these needs and respond to them.” Sir John Tusa