David Callahan
Encyclopedia
David Callahan is a co-founder of the think tank Demos
, a public policy group based in New York City
, where he is currently a Senior Fellow. He is also an author
, commentator, and lecturer
. He is perhaps best known as the author of the books The Cheating Culture
and The Moral Center. Callahan is a graduate of Hampshire College and holds a PhD in Politics from Princeton University. He is the son of Daniel Callahan
, the bioethicist and healthcare expert, and Sidney Callahan, who writes about religion and psychology.
, a nonfiction work that links the rise in unethical behavior in American
society to economic and regulatory trends -- particularly growing inequality. Since its publication, The Cheating Culture has been reviewed or discussed in numerous newspapers and magazines. The Los Angeles Times called The Cheating Culture a "lucid and thoughtful book," while Esquire proclaimed it a "damning and persuasive critique of America's new economic life." In a profile in The New York Times, Chris Hedges
called Callahan "a new liberal with old values." Callahan has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs to discuss The Cheating Culture. He has also lectured widely on the book to business groups and university audiences, frequently as a keynote speaker. Callahan continues to blog on issues of ethics, dishonesty, and fraud at CheatingCulture.com.
, with its elevation of self-interest, undermines values that both liberals and conservatives care about. Callahan argues for a new moral vision that fuses mutual obligation with personal responsibility and can attract majoritarian political support. The American Prospect
has called The Moral Center "fresh and provocative." Callahan is also author of the 2002 book Kindred Spirits, a history of the Harvard Business School Class of 1949. In an interview about the book with The New York Times, Callahan contrasted this earlier group of business leaders, many of whom frowned on conspicuous consumption, with later generations of business leaders more motivated by greed. USA Today called the book "intriguing" and "incredibly detailed." Before writing his recent books on ethics, morality, and business, Callahan explored issues of philanthropy, including for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
. In addition, Callahan has published three books on U.S. foreign policy, including Dangerous Capabilities
, an authoritative biography of Paul Nitze
, and Unwinnable Wars, a study of U.S. involvement in such ethnic conflicts as the wars in Bosnia, Rwanda, Lebanon, and Biafra. In addition to his books, Callahan's many articles have appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, The American Prospect, and The Nation. He also a regular blogger for The Huffington Post. On April 3, 2011, Callahan published an op-ed in the New York Times entitled "Bringing Donors out of the Shadows" about politically-motivated philanthropy. The piece was critical of the practice, on "both the left and the right," of channeling funds anonymously through 501(c)3 and (4) nonprofit groups in order to advance political views. Callahan singled out the brothers David H. Koch
and Charles G. Koch
as an example of donors who conceal "the recipients of their largess, even as they get to write it off on their taxes." According to their website, however, Koch Industries
challenged many of the claims made by Callahan in a letter to the editor.
in 1999, where he has held several top management positions. In addition to being a Senior Fellow at Demos, Callahan currently directs its International Program and edits the Demos blog, PolicyShop.net. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C., Demos publishes frequent research reports, as well as supporting 25 fellows who write books, articles, and studies. It hosts numerous public events, both in New York and in other cities around the United States. Demos staff and fellows are regular guests on television talk shows and are often quoted in the media. In 2010, Demos had a budget of $6 million.
Traitors to Their Class: The New Liberal Super Rich The New Republic, June 25, 2010.
The Moral MarketDemocracy, Summer 2009.
A Gentler Capitalism Los Angeles Times, January 2008
Demos (U.S. think tank)
Demos is a United States-based research and policy center that was founded in 2000. Based on its widely cited work in the media and growing impact on national and state policy, Demos continues to influence North American debate about election reform and economic security, with a particular emphasis...
, a public policy group based in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where he is currently a Senior Fellow. He is also an author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, commentator, and lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
. He is perhaps best known as the author of the books The Cheating Culture
The Cheating Culture
The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead is a nonfiction book, authored by David Callahan and published by Harcourt in 2004....
and The Moral Center. Callahan is a graduate of Hampshire College and holds a PhD in Politics from Princeton University. He is the son of Daniel Callahan
Daniel Callahan
Daniel Callahan was born July 19, 1930. Callahan is a philosopher widely recognized for his innovative studies in biomedical ethics.·In high school Callahan was a swimmer and choose to attend Yale University because of its competitive swimming program. While at Yale, he was drawn to...
, the bioethicist and healthcare expert, and Sidney Callahan, who writes about religion and psychology.
The Cheating Culture
Callahan is best known for his 2004 book, The Cheating CultureThe Cheating Culture
The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead is a nonfiction book, authored by David Callahan and published by Harcourt in 2004....
, a nonfiction work that links the rise in unethical behavior in American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
society to economic and regulatory trends -- particularly growing inequality. Since its publication, The Cheating Culture has been reviewed or discussed in numerous newspapers and magazines. The Los Angeles Times called The Cheating Culture a "lucid and thoughtful book," while Esquire proclaimed it a "damning and persuasive critique of America's new economic life." In a profile in The New York Times, Chris Hedges
Chris Hedges
Christopher Lynn Hedges is an American journalist, author, and war correspondent, specializing in American and Middle Eastern politics and societies...
called Callahan "a new liberal with old values." Callahan has appeared on hundreds of radio and television programs to discuss The Cheating Culture. He has also lectured widely on the book to business groups and university audiences, frequently as a keynote speaker. Callahan continues to blog on issues of ethics, dishonesty, and fraud at CheatingCulture.com.
Other Writing
In addition to The Cheating Culture, Callahan is the author of seven other books. These include Fortunes of Change: The Rise of the Liberal Rich and the Remaking of America (2010), which argues that the rise of the knowledge economy has led to ideological shifts within the U.S. upper class, and The Moral Center (2006), which examines how a market-based economy, i.e. capitalismCapitalism
Capitalism is an economic system that became dominant in the Western world following the demise of feudalism. There is no consensus on the precise definition nor on how the term should be used as a historical category...
, with its elevation of self-interest, undermines values that both liberals and conservatives care about. Callahan argues for a new moral vision that fuses mutual obligation with personal responsibility and can attract majoritarian political support. The American Prospect
The American Prospect
The American Prospect is a monthly American political magazine dedicated to American liberalism. Based in Washington, DC, The American Prospect is a journal "of liberal ideas, committed to a just society, an enriched democracy, and effective liberal politics" which focuses on United States politics...
has called The Moral Center "fresh and provocative." Callahan is also author of the 2002 book Kindred Spirits, a history of the Harvard Business School Class of 1949. In an interview about the book with The New York Times, Callahan contrasted this earlier group of business leaders, many of whom frowned on conspicuous consumption, with later generations of business leaders more motivated by greed. USA Today called the book "intriguing" and "incredibly detailed." Before writing his recent books on ethics, morality, and business, Callahan explored issues of philanthropy, including for the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy , established in 1976 and based in Washington, DC, is a privately-funded non-profit organization that conducts research on and advocates for greater accountability, transparency and a focus on social justice in the philanthropic sector...
. In addition, Callahan has published three books on U.S. foreign policy, including Dangerous Capabilities
Dangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold War
Dangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold War is a biography of Paul Nitze, the Cold War strategist and diplomat. It was published by HarperCollins in 1990 and written by David Callahan.- Synopsis :...
, an authoritative biography of Paul Nitze
Paul Nitze
Paul Henry Nitze was a high-ranking United States government official who helped shape Cold War defense policy over the course of numerous presidential administrations.-Early life, education, and family:...
, and Unwinnable Wars, a study of U.S. involvement in such ethnic conflicts as the wars in Bosnia, Rwanda, Lebanon, and Biafra. In addition to his books, Callahan's many articles have appeared in such publications as The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, Foreign Policy, The American Prospect, and The Nation. He also a regular blogger for The Huffington Post. On April 3, 2011, Callahan published an op-ed in the New York Times entitled "Bringing Donors out of the Shadows" about politically-motivated philanthropy. The piece was critical of the practice, on "both the left and the right," of channeling funds anonymously through 501(c)3 and (4) nonprofit groups in order to advance political views. Callahan singled out the brothers David H. Koch
David H. Koch
David Hamilton Koch is an American businessman, philanthropist, political activist, and chemical engineer. He is a co-owner and an executive vice president of Koch Industries, a conglomerate that is the second-largest privately held company in the U.S...
and Charles G. Koch
Charles G. Koch
Charles de Ganahl Koch is co-owner, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Koch Industries Inc., the second-largest privately held company by revenue in the United States according to a 2010 Forbes survey...
as an example of donors who conceal "the recipients of their largess, even as they get to write it off on their taxes." According to their website, however, Koch Industries
Koch Industries
Koch Industries, Inc. , is an American private energy conglomerate based in Wichita, Kansas, with subsidiaries involved in manufacturing, trading and investments. Koch also owns Invista, Georgia-Pacific, Flint Hills Resources, Koch Pipeline, Koch Fertilizer, Koch Minerals and Matador Cattle Company...
challenged many of the claims made by Callahan in a letter to the editor.
Demos
Callahan co-founded DemosDemos (U.S. think tank)
Demos is a United States-based research and policy center that was founded in 2000. Based on its widely cited work in the media and growing impact on national and state policy, Demos continues to influence North American debate about election reform and economic security, with a particular emphasis...
in 1999, where he has held several top management positions. In addition to being a Senior Fellow at Demos, Callahan currently directs its International Program and edits the Demos blog, PolicyShop.net. Headquartered in New York City, with offices in Boston and Washington, D.C., Demos publishes frequent research reports, as well as supporting 25 fellows who write books, articles, and studies. It hosts numerous public events, both in New York and in other cities around the United States. Demos staff and fellows are regular guests on television talk shows and are often quoted in the media. In 2010, Demos had a budget of $6 million.
Books
- Fortunes of Change: The Rise of the Liberal Rich and the Remaking of America (Wiley, 2010)
- The Moral Center: How Progressives Can Unite America Around Our Shared Values (Harcourt, 2006).
- The Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get AheadThe Cheating CultureThe Cheating Culture: Why More Americans Are Doing Wrong to Get Ahead is a nonfiction book, authored by David Callahan and published by Harcourt in 2004....
(Harcourt, 2004). - Kindred Spirits: Harvard Business School's Extraordinary Class of 1949 and How They Transformed American Business (Wiley, 2002).
- Unwinnable Wars: American Power and Ethnic Conflict (Farrar, Strauss, and Giroux, 1998).
- State of the Union (Little, Brown, 1997).
- Between Two World: Realism, Idealism, and American Foreign Policy After the Cold War (HarperCollins, 1994).
- Dangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold WarDangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold WarDangerous Capabilities: Paul Nitze and the Cold War is a biography of Paul Nitze, the Cold War strategist and diplomat. It was published by HarperCollins in 1990 and written by David Callahan.- Synopsis :...
(HarperCollins, 1990).
External links
Articles by Callahan
Twilight of the Dirty Rich Washington Post, August 8, 2010.Traitors to Their Class: The New Liberal Super Rich The New Republic, June 25, 2010.
The Moral MarketDemocracy, Summer 2009.
A Gentler Capitalism Los Angeles Times, January 2008