Are the rich compatible with democracy? Should we accept such a high degree of inequality in our society? Does the profit system glorify greed? In /Are the Rich Necessary?/ Hunter Lewis presents the most fundamental and provocative economic arguments that underlie society. Lewis connects economics directly with profound contemporary social issues. How are our personal values reflected in these issues and how do we choose between contending economic approaches? Most importantly, can philanthropy play a strategic role in helping people to lift themselves from poverty? Lewis offers a dramatic new proposal to significantly increase contributions to charitable organizations to help address key social issues. A challenging and sure to be influential book.
Hunter Lewis was born in Dayton, Ohio, USA, in 1947 and graduated from the Groton School and Harvard University (AB 1969). After working at the Boston Company, then one of the largest investment managers, first as assistant to the president and then vice-president, in 1975 Lewis co-founded and served as co-chief executive and then chief executive of Cambridge Associates LLC, an investment advisor to research universities and colleges representing over three-quarters of U.S. higher education endowment assets, foundations, cultural organizations, international organizations and other non-profit institutions as well as families. Cambridge Associates is now a global firm with offices and clients around the world.
In addition to his work at Cambridge Associates, Lewis has served as treasurer and president of the American School of Classical Studies at Athens, a graduate research institute affiliated with 150 American colleges and universities, president of the Alliance for Natural Health-USA, chairman of the National Environmental Trust, chairman of Dumbarton Oaks (affiliate of Harvard University), founder and chairman of the Trearne Foundation, which provides educational assistance to foster children, chairman of the Worldwatch Institute, chairman of Shelburne Farms, treasurer of the World Wildlife Fund (World Wide Fund for Nature), trustee of World Wildlife Fund International, member of the Advisory Board of Environmental Health Sciences, trustee of the Morgan Library, trustee of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, trustee of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (Monticello), trustee of the Peabody School, trustee of the Groton School, trustee of the Core Knowledge Foundation, and member of the World Bank Pension Finance Committee.
Lewis has contributed to many newspapers and periodicals including the New York Times, the Times of London, the Washington Post, and the Atlantic Monthly, as well as numerous websites such as Forbes.com. He is also an author and editor of books on economics and moral philosophy. His works include: Where Keynes Went Wrong: And Why World Governments Keep Creating Inflation, Bubbles, and Busts (Axios Press; September 25, 2009), Are the Rich Necessary?: Great Economic Arguments and How They Reflect Our Personal Values (Axios Press; September 25, 2007; Rev Updated PB edition October 30, 2009), A Question of Values : Six Ways We Make the Personal Choices That Shape Our Lives (Harper Collins, 1990, Axios Press, Rev Updated edition May 25, 2000), The Beguiling Serpent (Axios Press; August 31, 2000), Alternative Values: For and Against Wealth, Power, Fame, Praise, Glory, and Physical Pleasure (Axios Press; July 25, 2005) and The Real World War (Coward, McCann & Geoghegan/Putnam; 1982).
