'The Tyranny of Generosity' investigates what democracy demands from philanthropic giving and the policies that structure it. Drawing on political philosophy but addressed to a wide audience, it sheds new light on how philanthropy can both frustrate and facilitate democratic ideals. The author evaluates the respective roles of philanthropy and government, public subsidies for private giving, the use of donations for political speech, instruments of perpetual giving, the rise in giving by commercial corporations, and 'effective altruism' as a guide for individual giving. Written accessibly, it is a book for anyone who's ever had mixed feelings about clicking the 'donate' button or thanking a benefactor.