“The man who dies…rich dies disgraced.” Such is the verdict of Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), industrialist and philanthropist, in his essay The Gospel of Wealth, in which he claimed to “solve the problem of the Rich and the Poor.” He asserted that the only creditable option for those with surplus wealth is to use it during their lifetimes for the common good, and that to do otherwise is a disgrace. He and an increasing number of wealthy individuals have donated and administered large fortunes for charitable purposes. But do these individuals have a responsibility to donate to charity? Should the burden of charitable giving fall more heavily on their shoulders by virtue of having more to give?
The richest 85 people in the world are as wealthy as the bottom half of the world’s population. This gap between rich and poor is still growing. With increasing globalisation, the potential for extreme wealth is increasing rather than diminishing, as is the gap between rich and poor. 
