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David's preference for this behind-the-scenes political role | Emperor of the Establishment stems from his profound distaste for normal democratic politics. But what is the source of David's power? It is not just his Although clearly interested in power, David, after working for _ personal fortune, currently a meagre US$2.5 billion and a pittance Mayor La Guardia, apparently found the idea of having to depend —_ compared to the US$30 billion or more of today's super-rich such on the whims of the voting public unattractive. "The danger in as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. One obvious source has been that field," he later commented, "is that you spend all of your time —_ his executive positions at the Chase Manhattan Bank. But the running for office.""' Unstated, of course, is the plutocrat's proba- primary basis, as Dye explains, is in David's enduring role as le discomfort at the prospect of being publicly accountable in "director of the vast Rockefeller empire"; that is, his leadership of any way for his actions—something that would be an affront to "the Rockefeller network of industrial, financial, political, civic, the enormous power this Rockefeller saw as his due. and cultural institutions".”” At the centre of this network are the Instead, David found a surer route to power by fulfilling the remnants of the vast fortune originally amassed by John D. family tradition of using philanthropy as a "bridge" between the — Rockefeller, Sr, and then dispersed into an abundance of family rivate and public sectors. David typically presents his motives trusts and philanthropies. This includes the Rockefeller ehind his philanthropy as benevolent, an embodiment of Junior's Foundation (2001 market value of assets, US$3.1 billion) and the elief that "philanthropy was about being a good neighbor". "I Rockefeller Brothers Fund (RBF) (2002 market value of assets, ave tried to emulate Father by contributing to a variety of not- US$670 million). As a former Vice-Chairman (1968-1980), for-profit organizations throughout my life," he writes in | Chairman (1980-1987) and now an Advisory Trustee of the RBF, Memoirs.” But this is disingenuous, for David has always been at the hub of this David's actual motives for embracing phil- network. anthropy in fact have more in common with Outside of this hub is a plethora of public Andrew Carnegie's view that the wealthy institutions including foundations, non-gov- ave an exclusive right to shape society. ernment organisations and various govern- It has been in other forums, in little- ment advisory boards that David has been noticed speeches to elite gatherings, that involved with, usually in a leading role. His David's true intentions have been revealed. myriad positions include: Honorary Like Carnegie, David considers an active Instead, David found Chairman of Rockefeller University; litical role by the rich to be a matter of tet Chairman Emeritus of the Museum of duty rather than a mere whim, as he stated to a surer route to power Modern Art in New York City; Chairman of one gathering that ine opportunities for by fulfilling the family ne aaeecas eee Director of ue ossessing wealth carry with them eae . — rade and Economic Council; comparable responsibilities” In fact, he tradition of using Chairman of the New York Chamber of told the New York Economic Club in 1996, philanthropy asa Commerce and Industry; Chairman of the US hilanthropy performs a vital social Whe " h Advisory Committee on Reform of the function in which the rich and bridge between the International Monetary System; usinessmen in general are able to private and public Honorary Chairman of the Japan sectors. realise their "responsibility to society Society; a director of Internationa eyond that of maximising profits for House; a trustee of the University of shareholders". Although "making Chicago; a trustee of the John F. rofits must come first", as profits are Kennedy Library; President of the "the most important instrument we Board of Overseas Study at Harvard; ave to promote the broader welfare of and now, an honorary jury member on our society", David maintained that the the Lower Manhattan Development captains of industry should style Corporation's International World themselves as "business statesmen" and Trade Center Site Memorial ...Speaking out on Competition. community, industry and national This impressive range of institutions issues". that David has been involved in also This also includes active involvement in the non-profit area, _ includes a raft of policy-planning organisations devoted to inter- supporting various organisations whether dealing with domestic national political and economic affairs. David's role in these or international issues. There is "nothing wrong with perpetuating organisations has never been marginal, and his positions include: one's name by endowing an organization or building", David told — Director, Chairman and Honorary Chairman of the Council on the Sid W. Richardson Foundation in 1985, but with government Foreign Relations (CFR); founder, North American Chairman in retreat in many areas, "the private area must take up the = and Honorary Chairman of the Trilateral Commission; a life slack". member of the Bilderberg Group; Chairman and Director of the Unless the business class is actively involved in resolving Institute for International Economics (IIE); founder, Chairman "societal problems", he warned the New York Economic Club, the and Honorary Chairman of the Council on the Americas; and a public may become "disenchanted with business" and "demand _ trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace that government resume its previous role as the arbiter of our (CEIP). He is also a co-founder of the Dartmouth Conference, economic life" * the International Executive Service Corps and the Global And thus David's real agenda becomes clear: the rich must —_ Philanthropists Circle. govern, limiting the role of elected officials; but the multitude At a recent "book party" for the retiring plutocrat, former US must be placated lest they clamour for the return of democracy, Trade Representative Carla Hills celebrated David's pivotal role in threatening the reign of the plutocrats. maintaining this network: a surer route to power by fulfilling the family tradition of using philanthropy as a "bridge" between the private and public anaes sectors. 30 ¢ NEXUS Instead, David found WWW.NeXU smagazi ne.com AUGUST — SEPTEMBER 2003