Or, if you're a pro-lifer, maybe Ted Turner qualifies. But it's not at all difficult to imagine an extremely wealthy philanthropist imposing his ideology or interests on impoverished or developing countries. Subjects like biotech, narcotics legalization and other emerging topics could lead to the potential for some serious mischief by rich people who were never elected to anything by anyone. Lack of accountability also troubles the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, a liberal organization also based in Washington. Don't get me wrong.
Foundations are necessary.
Turner and Gates do some great work. But that isn't a substitute for a strong and vigorous civil society and a government that has the capacity to respond to the needs of its citizens. Gates and Turner are self-made billionaires who rank among the world's richest businesspeople. But the worries are being voiced. The United Nations is an organisation of the world's governments, each of which is accountable to a greater or lesser degree to the people they govern.