Original scientific paper

A Social and Economic View of Subsidiarity: Possibilities and Needs in Croatia

Josip Grbac ; Theology in Rijeka, Dislocated Studies of Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Once the author had previously discussed the principles of theoretically founded subsidiarity in social and political life, in this article the author reviews concrete possibilities to realise those principles on the social and economic platform in Croatia. In the first part of the article the author uses data obtained from empirical research conducted in 2009 on subsidiarity in Croatia. The data shows that the notion of subsidiarity is relatively unknown in Croatia but also that Croatian citizens are prepared for a subsidiary turnabout as far as the functioning of the state and society are concerned. This is made obvious as younger generations and those higher educated show more interest in empowering a subsidiary functioning in society. They recognise the significant role of civil society and various civil associations as well as individuals to take over many aspects of social services which until now mostly lay in the scope of the government. They are also ready to include lower instances into decision making as well as economic planning and foresee the importance of subsidiarity being comprehended as part of common good. The second part of the article reflects on concrete prospects of subsidiarity in Croatia on several levels: the fact that subsidiarity is relatively unknown and what problems exist in introducing the notion of subsidiarity in education programmes; legal provisions concerning subsidiarity which are generally satisfactory in Croatia when setting general frameworks to establish subsidiarity and less effective in reference to concrete examples; decentralisation and the importance of human potential which forewarn of some problems of decentralisation but also of the insufficient education of people who should be acting subsidiarity at the local government level; over-fragmented territorial structure in Croatia where many local communities are not able to execute their responsibilities; insufficient development of civil society without which it is just not possible to establish subsidiarity; fiscal decentralisation which should be the crux of subsidiarity however, apart from the vertical dimension where the state grants funding to local communities it requires the development of a horizontal dimension which is largely lacking in Croatia; and finally, prospects of subsidiarity in economy which entails an economy that is socially sensitive and in a way, a partner to social policies.

Keywords

subsidiarity; civil society organizations; common good; economy; legislation; decentralization; civil society; local self-government

Hrčak ID:

76012

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/76012

Publication date:

11.1.2012.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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