The United States’ status as an exceptional nation that has often set the bar for the rest of the world is undeniable. This positive example has made America a world leader.
In August, America’s exceptional model of conscientious capitalism made headlines with the announcement that 40 millionaires have committed to donating half their fortunes to charity. Once again, private initiative demonstrates Americans’ commitment to generous giving and improving society.
“The Giving Pledge” initiative, proposed by Warren Buffet and Bill Gates, has been seconded by Larry Ellison, Barry Diller, Michael Bloomberg, Ted Turner, George Lucas, David Rockefeller, T. Boone Pickens, Eli Broad, Gerry Lenfest and John Mordridge, among other millionaires. All participants will contribute the majority of their fortunes (around 230,000 million dollars) to charity.


This initiative is a commendable way for those who have benefited from the market to give back to society without governmental intervention, channeling economic resources much more effectively than government bureaucracies.
The project is also important because of the example it offers society, a conscientious economic commitment from independently wealthy individuals that goes beyond politics or ideology to respond to real needs in today’s society. The United States, with 400 fortunes that surpass the 1,000 million dollar mark, represents 40% of fortunes of this caliber worldwide. In this country of great material wealth, those individuals are most able to contribute on an economic level can take action and use the profits from capitalism to face the problems of today’s world through the traditions of charitable giving and philanthropy.
The success of this initiative that has only just begun reflects America’s exceptionally generous and independent character through its millionaires’ commitment to society, as they return a large part of the wealth earned in the course of their professional careers to society. In Michael Bloomberg’s words, in the letter he wrote accepting “The Giving Pledge” challenge, philanthropy is an investment in the future of new generations and provides necessary financial support to those organizations that are truly helping us build a better world.

The United States once again demonstrates that it is private initiative, the very same sense of economic independence that traditionally pushes progress in this country, which can actively provide the financial support necessary to making the world a better place; this is the market’s human face and it’s in our hands. This very “human” side of capitalism becomes evident when according to “Fortune” Magazine the very millionaires that appear on the list of the 400 richest Americans donate half of their net income and raise more than 600,000 million dollars for charitable and social work; A quantity that, well channeled through independent action by donors, and uncorrupted by politics or ideology, can propel the progress of numerous educational, environmental, artistic, health, social and economic programs.
If only this example and its message of conscientious capitalism resonated across the world. If only other European, Asian, Latin-American millionaires would respond to this challenge of making a real commitment to donate money to improve society. “The Giving Pledge” is yet another concrete example of America’s independence and generosity making a real, positive difference in the world.