Matthew Bishop and Michael Green are co-authors of Philanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Save the World, which is out in paperback next month. Bishop is NewYork bureau chief of The Economist and on Twitter @mattbish. Green is a writer and consultant. They blog at www.philanthrocapitalism.net.

Shocking photos from Haiti sparked an outpouring of donations—but why do Americans only give when they see the drama unfold on TV? Matthew Bishop and Michael Green, of Philanthrocapitalism, on the nature of sympathy.

Giving Beast columnists Matthew Bishop and Michael Green, co-authors of Philanthrocapitalism: How Giving Can Save the World, say grassroots efforts like microfinance can improve lives, but real social impact requires changes from the top down. What the campaign for maternal health can learn from Bill Gates and George Soros.