The elusive quest for subsidiarity, solidarity and responsibility

In this thought piece Ben Ryan and Nick Spencer reason that if the basis of European integration is to be that the EU will make people richer then it is doomed. Instead, they argue that the only sustainable basis for union is to be based on something more fundamental; something moral, perhaps even spiritual. They make the case that A recovery of the moral mission of Europe and in particular the courage to put solidarity, subsidiarity and responsibility back at the top of the priority list is not naïve utopian politics – it is the last best chance for the EU to really work.

03, 02, 2016
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By ReimaginingEurope

Brandon, solidarity, Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity, solidarity and responsibility

Guy Brandon takes a closer look at catholic social teaching and the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity and responsibility. In or Out of Europe, these principles are hugely challenging. He makes the case that stay in and we will continue to surrender some of our autonomy, forced to put up with whatever imperfections remain after the renegotiation process. Leave and we lose our seat at the table, potentially waving goodbye to any control over what happens on our doorstep.

02, 24, 2016
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By ReimaginingEurope

Booth, Diego Zuluaga, Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity needs to take its rightful place in the EU

Philip Booth and Diego Zuluaga compare and contrast competing understandings of subsidiarity and how they apply to the EU. They show that constitutional understandings of subsidiarity have encouraged the centralisation of power in Brussels which stands in marked opposition to its understanding in Catholic social teaching. They make the case that if we wish European integration to work and to allow individuals, families and communities to flourish, we need to return to the original conception of the subsidiarity principle – one that emphasises free will and encourages responsibility.

09, 14, 2015
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By ReimaginingEurope

Booth, Current Themes, Subsidiarity

Is the EU constitutionally flawed?

Philip Booth from the Institute of Economic Affairs explores how Catholic social teaching on subsidiarity might help restrain the EU’s tendency towards centralisation and in turn protect the wider common good.