The first of many cultural paradoxes to be found in a comparison of giving in the United States and United Kingdom is the question of what to call it. Philanthropy — both the practice and the word itself — is very popular in the US. It is considered a positive and robust term and it is employed widely by both the left and the right. While giving to opposing causes, both ends of the political spectrum support wholeheartedly the value and importance of philanthropy. Lingering elite connotations are tempered by popular giving mechanisms such as United Ways, and by numerous social change philanthropic efforts involving representatives of possible recipient groups in the decisions about the distribution of philanthropic resources.