Reviewed by Marcos Kisil, founder of IDIS

Jessica Sklair’s book explores the philanthropy of Brazilian elites during a key period in recent Brazilian history, from Workers’ Party president Lula’s last term in 2008 to the election of far-right president Jair Bolsonaro in 2019. It frames the ways in which wealthy Brazilians appropriate philanthropy directly to legitimise the perpetuation of the elite and the accumulation of wealth.

Based on an ethnographic study of the changing nature of elite philanthropy, the author conducted the original research over two periods of time, between 2008 and 2010 and between 2018 and 2019.

It uses the ethnographic approach – observing details on which to base the narrative – to document the changing forms and ambitions of elite philanthropy in focusing national development and how wealthy families have transferred wealth to new generations. It is a very ambitious aim.