Original scientific paper

Realising Solidarity by Subsidiarity

Stjepan Baloban orcid.org/0000-0002-3138-3222 ; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

On the basis of several empirical research projects that have been conducted in Croatia over the past decade and on the basis of several articles, it is possible to deeply investigate relations towards solidarity as well as the ties between solidarity and subsidiarity. Based on this, it is possible to portray the significance of subsidiarity for solidarity to be able to function and in particular, social solidarity.
The article refers to certain empirical research projects and in particular to empirical research conducted as part of the project Monitoring Poverty in Croatia. This last research attempted to reach towards relations towards subsidiarity in Croatia. Point one, The high level of personal and low level of social solidarity highlights the generally spread phenomenon of post-communist countries, i.e. the low level of social solidarity which is prevalent in Croatian society too. In point two, The way of life in Croatia does not allow solidarity to be practised, the author shows how certain forms of behaviour amongst Croatian citizens (e.g. poor savings, poor evaluation of independence, their lack of readiness to help others; and their poor attitude towards self-education), i.e. their way of life 'is above their means' (living on loans that are all the more difficult to pay off), increases mistrust and hampers any possibility of creating 'an atmosphere of solidarity'. In point three, Subsidiarity - an unknown reality? he presents results on the one hand that speak about practical non-functioning of subsidiarity in Croatia, because solutions to almost all significant questions and problems are expected from some authority: federal, county or local. On the other hand, there is talk of the barriers to developing subsidiarity) e.g. the ethos of amoral Familism) and of the need and prospects of subsidiarity in Croatia. Point four, Subsidiarity opens new opportunities to participation that can be applied to the functioning of solidarity points out the meaning of subsidiarity in European society. The article discusses horizontal and vertical subsidiarity and their meaning to the functioning of democracy and civil society in general. Emphasis is placed on the ontological-anthropological foundations of subsidiarity in the social teachings of the Church. Based on the fact that subsidiarity is based on the person and variety of persons leads to the nature of subsidiarity: natural orientation towards others and mutual dependence between each other.
The article shows in its conclusion that subsidiarity is extremely important towards strengthening social solidarity in Croatia. It is necessary therefore to develop subsidiarity both at a theoretical and practical level. In Croatia, it is important to search for certain models of activities in order to create an 'atmosphere of solidarity'and to gradually develop subsidiarity. In that context, the following fields are significant: respect of the law to overcome anomies in numerous forms of public life; strengthening dignity and trust in social and government institutions as well as strengthening trust in people who work in this institutions; education about subsidiarity and solidarity needs to commence from earliest childhood, i.e. systematically from kindergarten and school age.
At a concrete level, it is possible to organise workshops that would point out the notion of subsidiarity to people as a principle of an organised social life that contributes towards practising solidarity and in particular, social solidarity.

Keywords

personal and social solidarity; amoral Familism; common good; subsidiarity in society; subsidiarity in the Church

Hrčak ID:

24344

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/24344

Publication date:

27.6.2006.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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