Thread by @jdflynn

this is an election night reminder. Possibly a rant. But it's something important to know.

Subsidiarity does not mean that the most local solution to a problem is the best solution. It doesn't mean solving problems at the lowest level possible.
(cont)

Subsidiarity isn't reflexively opposed to big government, and it's not a code word for "deregulation."
(cont)

JPII says that subsidiarity means that: "a community of a higher order should not interfere in the internal life of a community of a lower order, depriving the latter of its functions, BUT..."
(cont

"...rather should support it in case of need and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the rest of society, always with a view to the common good."

What does this mean?

It means that various kinds of communities should fulfill their proper purposes. Families ought to fulfill the obligations proper to families, towns the obligations proper to towns, states the obligations proper to states, and so on and so forth.
(cont)

It also means that communities of a higher order ought to help the struggling- towns ought to help families, states ought to help towns, etc, and higher communities ought to "help to coordinate" the activities of lower groups "with the activities of the rest of society." (cont)

Discerning the activities proper to each sphere of society is really difficult-- but the implied reminder is that each sphere of society HAS activities proper to it, and not just those the lower order communities "can't do."
(cont)

Some things really are proper to the state, for the sake of the common good, because it is the state, and not just because it's cheaper or more efficient for the state to do it. Again, discerning those things is difficult, but the fact remains.

"subsidiarity" is often used to argue for a libertarian-esque view of the world, but this is precisely what isn't meant by the concept, because "subsidiarity" has two points:
(cont)

1. Each sphere of society has proper ends and purposes.
2. Various spheres of society should help each other achieve those ends, and higher spheres should coordinate the activity of lower spheres when important to the common good.
The message of subsidiarity is INTERDEPENDENCE!

So don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

Have a good day.

JDF