Dumbwaiters and Greased Pigs: Globalization, International Security, and Philanthropy’s Enduring Challenge

Stephen Del Rosso's essay on the role U.S. foundations play in the peace and security field is now available. The article surveys the approaches various foundations have taken and offers an illuminating discussion of lessons learned as foundations adapt to the changing international landscape:

What has the American philanthropic sector learned from its involvement in the evolving discourse over globalization and its repeated efforts to redefine security? International peace and security grantmakers often press their grantees to derive lessons from past experience to apply to new challenges. In the real world—as the most recent intervention in Iraq has graphically demonstrated—lessons are often mislearned, misapplied, or ignored. Did anyone in charge of post-invasion planning recall the widespread looting that followed America’s 1999 “incursion” in Panama? Did the very different context in which post-World War II de-Nazification was implemented not give pause to those imposing de-Ba‘thification on Iraq? It is not unreasonable to suggest that foundations also try to learn some lessons from their own experiences, both to improve their record of performance and to increase their credibility in the eyes of those diligently seeking their support. [Full essay]