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Abstract Philanthrocapitalism, a fusion of philanthropy and capitalism, has become an increasingly influential force in global health governance. By leveraging private capital and market-driven business principles, philanthrocapitalism seeks to create a win-win scenario between profit generation and the promotion of global health. The emergence of philanthrocapitalism in global health governance is rooted in the globalization of vertical health governance models, the growing influence of neoliberalism in global health, and the weakening of the global health governance financing system. While philanthrocapitalism significantly impacts the models and agenda-setting processes of global health governance, it also presents both challenges and opportunities due to the inherent tension between the altruistic nature of philanthropy and the profit-seeking nature of capitalism.
With the increasing engagement of private philanthropic organizations such as the Gates Foundation, the Bloomberg Family Foundation and the Clinton Foundation in global health governance, philanthrocapitalism has become an indispensable force in global health governance. The Gates Foundation, as a quintessential example of philanthrocapitalism, has played such an important role in global health governance that it is almost omnipresent in any discussion on global health. It has been engaged in this domain through two primary mechanisms: first, by shaping the global health agenda using its epistemic and relational power; second, by expanding its decision-making influence through financial support to UN-affiliated organizations, public-private partnerships, non-governmental organizations, and research institutions. The “Gates Approach” is characterized by its expansion of institutional power, promotion of neoliberal policies, and emphasis on biotechnology. However, philanthrocapitalism is not a panacea for global health governance and poses several challenges. The Gates Foundation’s vertical governance model can distort global health priorities, exacerbate market failures, and widen the public health gap between the Global South and North. Additionally, its technology-centric approach may undermine global health equity.
This paper employs qualitative and quantitative analysis to investigate the financing preferences of the Gates Foundation in global health governance. It argues that the primary motivation for private philanthrocapitalist foundations to be engaged in global health governance is not solely to promote philanthropy but also to expand capitalist interests. This study contributes to the field of global health governance research in multiple ways. On the one hand, it uses the concept of philanthrocapitalism as an analytical framework to comprehensively examine the role and impact of the Gates Foundation in global health governance, providing valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of private philanthrocapitalist organizations in global health governance. On the other hand, it critically analyzes the background, approaches, and motivations of such organizations, offering an objective evaluation of the role of the private sector in global health governance.
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Published: 07 November 2025
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