In his 2018 book 'Just Giving: Why Philanthropy Is Failing Democracy and How It Can Do Better,' Stanford political scientist Rob Reich argued that large private foundations — with the Gates Foundation as a prime example — wield unaccountable, plutocratic power that is also subsidized by taxpayers through the charitable deduction. Reich contended that big philanthropy is 'an exercise of power' warranting democratic scrutiny rather than automatic praise, and that a foundation whose assets rival the wealth of nations can steer public policy without public accountability. The book became a touchstone for academic and political critiques of how billionaires like Gates convert fortunes into influence over education, health and science.