An earnest but often naïve person (typically educated and
white) who wants reform through philanthropic or egalitarian means. e.g. wealth redistribution, social justice, welfare, third world immigration, adoption of "disadvantaged" children (usually non-
white and from abroad), affirmative action and spending other peoples'
money for good causes. See also white guilt. Do-gooders always mean well but
may misinterpret opposing preferences to be racist,
cold, intolerant or greedy. They genuinely want human development & positive environmental awareness, although the methods are a source of debate.
Do-Gooders can be either
liberal/left or “social
conservative” (as opposed to fiscal). For some, issues such as "ethnic diversity" & "multiculturalism" are a religious calling, but they generally don’t have the same burden for promoting it in countries apart from western ones - and don't feel that having a lack of ethnic diversity is a crime for any non-european countries (e.g. Japan). A few inherent contradictions
may exist, such as the fact that literal "multiculturalism" would instead favor separation of ethnic or cultural groups to maintain “diversity”. Some subconsciously believe that decreasing the "european-descent" portion of the population pie is indicative of western progress.
Do-gooder methods do not always create the positive outcomes intended. The transfer of
money from
one group of people to another is usually the result.
"My aunt is
always involved in some humanitarian project and she plans on adopting some foreign
children. My boyfriend thinks she is a do-
gooder”
"I can't believe how many do-gooders there are in this town who voted for more spending!"
