Last resort Quote by Denis O'Brien
““By subsidiarity is meant the principle that responsibilities should be devolved to the lowest viable level – the individual if possible. This stems directly from the Christian concept that the individual is of overriding importance because the individual is unique, born with free will, and is of infi nite value to God. The principle of subsidiarity is therefore rooted in a Christian understanding of the nature of the human person made in the image of God. By solidarity is meant the idea that no man is an island, and that mankind has the need and duty to bind together in common action to achieve aims that cannot be achieved by single individuals. Subsidiarity then requires that the smallest possible level of communality necessary to achieve a particular end should be employed. Action at state level is essentially a last resort.””
About This Quote
Subsidiarity advocates delegating duties to the smallest competent unit, emphasizing individual dignity rooted in Christian anthropology, while solidarity stresses collective action for goals beyond individual capacity.
In simple terms: Balance individual autonomy with communal responsibility.
Key Takeaway
Empower local actors, reserve higher authority for essential coordination.
Themes
individual autonomy
community solidarity
Christian ethics
political organization
decentralization
collective action
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
analytical
Type
philosophical
political
theological
When to use this quote
- local governance decisionscommunity organizing
- policy design
- social movements
- intergovernmental cooperation
Key Concepts
subsidiarity
solidarity
human dignity
social cohesion
Practical Applications
- designing tiered governance structures
- building collaborative networks
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure higher-level interventions remain truly necessary?
- What mechanisms protect individual autonomy within collective initiatives?
![“See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. [That] the fundamental treason to the mind ... is the one fundamental treason which the scholar's mind must not allow is the bond uniting all the Oxford people in the last resort.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c74/dorothy-l-sayers-738_academia_see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-re_16293.jpg)
