Read the Catechism in a Year
Day 238 - The Principle of Subsidiarity
How can the individual be integrated into society in such a way that he nevertheless can develop freely?
The individual can develop freely in society if the “principle of subsidiarity” is observed.
The principle of subsidiarity, which was developed as part of Catholic Social Teaching, states: What individuals can accomplish by their own initiative and efforts should not be taken from them by a higher authority. A greater and higher social institution must not take over the duties of a subordinate organization and deprive it of its competence. Its purpose, rather, is to intervene in a subsidiary fashion (thus offering help) when individuals or smaller institutions find that a task is beyond them.
On what principles does a society build?
Every society builds on a hierarchy of values that is put into practice through justice and love.
No society can last unless it is based on a clear orientation toward values that are reflected in a just ordering of relationships and an active implementation of this justice. Thus man may never be made into a means to an end of societal action. Every society needs constant conversion from unjust structures. Ultimately this is accomplished only by love, the greatest social commandment. It respects others. It demands justice. It makes conversion from inequitable conditions possible. (YOUCAT questions 323-324)
Dig Deeper: Corresponding CCC section (1883-1896) and other references here.
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