Raj Kumar (3)

Kumar's book reads like a quick graduate study class of the global aid industry. However, it's great reading for any person who gives money to organizations, not just those who want a deep dive into the nitty gritty of the industry. Kumar points out how the aid industry is changing from a consortium of Western-based government aid organizations who tend to use the same organizations for their massive humanitarian projects. The industry is being disrupted by social entrepreneurs, billionaires show more who are willing to fund pet projects and everyday folks through online campaigns. Much of this change demands transparency and clearer reporting of results from agencies which is a welcome change. However, Kumar covers the upsides and downsides of these large changes. Again, at the least this book will get the reader to think a little harder about their giving - to whom, for what, and how to make sure the giving is effective at moving toward a solution (or whether such a "solution" is possible or desirable!) Again, I would compare it to a graduate level course as it can be a bit of a deep dive for the casual reader - to finish it, you will truly need to have an interest in the global aid industry (more than reading a magazine article will provide.) It also has quite a bit of factual evidence supporting logical arguments. However, similar to professors, Kumar does occasionally stray into more opinion-base conclusions - though it never felt too preachy. Overall, a quality read to provide a great overview of the changing aid industry. show less

Raj Kumar's "The Business of Changing the World" provides an excellent and very readable all-around survey of specifically what is and has been so wrong with much of today's government-funded and -directed charitable aid (short-term political motivations, disconnectedness from effectiveness and results, etc.), how the specifically results-driven methodologies of many charitable non-government organizations (NGOs) provide so much better long-term aid value for the dollar/euro/etc., how the show more growing community of billionaire philanthropists enable some of those NGOs to accomplish so much, and the "giving pledge" that invites and encourages more of the world's wealthiest to commit to doing the same.

One quibble on page 29: Libertarians in general are not "dubious about the value of aid and charity." Libertarians are dubious about the value of politically-directed government-forced aid and charity, and would largely appreciate this book's coverage of the problems inherent in exactly that. This nit doesn't detract at all from the book's value; just something that needed pointing out (in case the author is reading this). :-) show less

This is a niche, wonky book, but it's my niche (as I am a career development professional working for an international global health non-profit). I was skeptical as I always am with people who make generalizations about aid work across dozens of countries and sectors. You will see lots of arguments in the margins with some of Kumar's assertions. But I also found the book to be extremely well researched, with creative examples and new (as well as old or outdated) ways of thinking. I would show more recommend this to development professionals, as well as others who may not be as experienced with thinking about the future of global aid and independent country advancement. show less

When I received this book in the Early Reviewers program I put it aside because at the time I felt that I just could not take any more bad news about the world. What a refreshing surprise when I finally sat down to read it. In a conversational tone that is laid out logically and drew me into the subject, Raj Kumar leads us through the global aid industry, how it was done in the past, and why it is changing for the better. A lot of good has been done, and as we gain the tools to better assess show more the multitude of various conditions we find throughout the world we may continue to improve the amount of good we can do. We may, for the first time in history, be able to eradicate extreme poverty. The ideas presented in this book are critical for anyone who wants to contribute to that goal. show less