The Principle of Subsidiarity and American Federalism
Abstract
CHAPTER ITHE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITYModern methods of propaganda have demonstrated how the ceaseless repetition of a lie can give it the bold appearance of the full and complete truth. When falsehood triumphs so easily, the constant recall of true and unchanging fundamental principles is an obvious necessity.One such fundamental principle is that which governs, or should govern, the whole structure of social organisation, including the position and role of government in human society. It is a principle to which all intelligent men of good will, who recognise that the conservation, development and perfection of the human person is the scope and goal of all social life and all political institutions, would give their enthusiastic assent. let to the minds of many this principle is unknown, or at least vague and inoperative, and its wide, universal applicability is unsuspected. A major reason for this deficiency is that the principle —"subsidiarity" is one of its names—has not been stated clearly, fully nor frequently enough. In this case repetition to excess would be difficult.The principle of subsidiarity is not a "Catholic” principle in the sense of being based exclusively upon the Christian revelation. It is taught with clarity and emphasis by Catholics, but It is based upon the natural law, and, as such, it is discoverable by reason itself. For its validity it rests upon two foundations. First, it rests upon the reality of man’s human nature. It is discoverable by an analysis of that nature. Man’s rational human nature is incomplete, incapable of full development, without the help of social institutions which man himself must form. Such institutions come into being solely and purely for the help of individual man, to do for him what he cannot do for himself. It is their function to supply that help whenever it is needed. Since, however, social institutions have no other function, since their role is purely that of a helper, since they are purely ancillary and subsidiary to the human person, they must never do for the individual what he can and will do for himself. Furthermore, especially in this age of highly complex social life, the same truth applies to higher, more universal social institutions in their role as the necessary helpers of intermediate and lower social bodies. The principle of subsidiarity points out both the powers of social institutions and the limits of those powers.
Subject Area
Political science|Education
Recommended Citation
Tracy, Harker Edward, "The Principle of Subsidiarity and American Federalism" (1960). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI28673329.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI28673329
