Thomas Friedman once said that “the world is flat”. Globalisation has indeed created a level playing field for trade and industry. However, when forces try to make the world socially and culturally flat, it amounts to making it less beautiful. The globalisation of philanthropy illustrates this danger.

As Parliament prepares to debate amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), many civil society groups have criticised the proposed changes and levelled serious allegations against the government. But India’s experience with foreign-funded activism, along with examples from other countries, offers enough reason to revisit the regulatory framework.

Over time, genuine voluntarism has given way to professionalised activism. Organisations once known for commitment, sacrifice and grassroots engagement increasingly adopted the NGO model, with access to large donor funding reshaping priorities. Some evolved into influential actors that sought to shape public policy, at times reflecting donor agendas more than local needs. The rapid........

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