Winners Take All cover art

Winners Take All

The Elite Charade of Changing the World

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Winners Take All

By: Anand Giridharadas
Narrated by: Anand Giridharadas
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About this listen

Penguin presents the audiobook edition Winners Take All: The Elite Charade of Changing the World written and read by Anand Giridharadas.

*The New York Times bestseller*

'Entertaining and gripping . . . For those at the helm, the philanthropic plutocrats and aspiring "change agents" who believe they are helping but are actually making things worse, it's time for a reckoning with their role in this spiraling dilemma' Joseph Stiglitz, New York Times Book Review

What explains the spreading backlash against the global elite? In this revelatory investigation, Anand Giridharadas takes us into the inner sanctums of a new gilded age, showing how the elite follow a 'win-win' logic, fighting for equality and justice any way they can - except ways that threaten their position at the top.

But why should our gravest problems be solved by consultancies, technology companies and corporate-sponsored charities instead of public institutions and elected officials? Why should we rely on scraps from the winners? Trenchant and gripping, this is an indispensable guide and call to action for elites and citizens alike.

©2019 Anand Giridharadas (P)2019 Penguin Audio Corruption & Misconduct Philanthropy & Charity Politics & Government Poverty & Homelessness Racism & Discrimination Social Sciences

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Critic reviews

"Entertaining and gripping.... For those at the helm, the philanthropic plutocrats and aspiring 'change agents' who believe they are helping but are actually making things worse, it's time for a reckoning with their role in this spiraling dilemma." (Joseph Stiglitz, New York Times Book Review)
Most relevant  
The world is being played by the rich. Those that don't care about consequences and those that do. Anand opens our eyes to the world of those rich people that supposedly do care about the consequences, but the status quo is too big and too costly to change. What then can change the system and bring about the change needed to address the stark imbalance between the haves and have nots? This book doesn't go there, but at least goes to address stage 1 of recovery, that if not being in denial.

Enjoyable, but fails to address the problem

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The best non fiction book I've ever read: informative, morally sound - and yet immensely entertaining! The author keeps an eye on the topic without any diversions or excuses. A must read, especially for business people and aspiring entrepreneurs who want to change the world.

A must read for aspiring entrepreneurs

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How dealing with poverty rather than inequality actually perpetuates the problems produced by inequality. The wealthy givers in their philanthropy may in fact be helping those in need yet such acts fail to take into account the fact that quite often the disparity in the financial position between the givers and the helped was in fact caused through the circumstances of both parties without in fact bringing about any lasting change through appropriate government intervention.

The Helpers and the Helped

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Giridhadas has done us all a real favour here by examining our collective insanity in revering the arsonists who started the fire - thanking them in fact for their offer of cups of water to douse some of the peripheral flames...

He has articulated beautifully my own long-held misgivings about generous super-rich benefactors and the real purposes of their largesse.

Must read.

Seminal text for anyone interested in seeing the world as it is...

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important book, should be required reading for all. Philanthropy is marketing of an evil system.

Everyone should hear this book

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To say that this was a revelation is not hyperbole on my part. I've often wondered why the so-called 'I-Specialists', rampant on social media kep telling us of the almost single-handed efforts to fix the world whilst making money haven't actually fixed anything.

Now I understand better and can see more clearly.

I had no idea...

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A book that all should read irrespective of whether you agree with the writer or not. A good investment of a few pounds (£).

Read it

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very interesting story a real eye opener as to what is happening at the top and how it affects our everyday lives I will not look upon a philanthropist with the same eyes again.
So much money and so much forgetfulness about the government systems that brought them to where they are.
any social change should be brought about through government action..

So greedy

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a great insight into the shortcomings and arrogance of marketworld thinking. Our economic system is broken, highlighted so clearly in this book. it is up to us to fight for a more egalitarian system and confront market world thinking head on!

why and how our economic system is broken

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Clearly narrated. Well explained. Conscise in-depth explanations without labouring the points. Relevant to anybody who wants to understand today's society and some of the issues we face.

Thought provoking critique

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