Is Big Philanthropy A Western 'Tyranny Of Experts' - Or Measure Of Imperfect Democracy?

Years ago, quite early in my development career (which itself is a second career to journalism), I was sitting comfortably in the board room of a white shoe law firm with panoramic views of midtown Manhattan. The occasion was the board meeting of nonprofit organization engaged in international development, specifically assisting the poor in one small and very poor nation ruled by a corrupt hierarchical regime. The question was fundraising and how to get donors interested in helping this populati...