Vice President JD Vance made a statement referencing the “order of charity” or ordo amoris in Latin as a way to prioritize love. He spoke of how love must emanate from the family to wider society. Some took issue with his use of this ordering of love to justify the Trump position on immigration. In a world often dominated by top-down approaches to governance and societal issues, the Catholic principle of subsidiarity offers a refreshing, countercultural perspective on how society should function. At its heart, subsidiarity emphasizes that matters should be handled at the most local level possible, by the smallest and most intimate communities. This principle, deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching, has profound implications not only for politics and economics but also for the well-being of individuals and families.
What is Subsidiarity?
The principle of subsidiarity is a key tenet of Catholic social teaching. It asserts that social and political issues should be addressed by the smallest, most local authority that is capable of addressing them. This means that decisions should be made at the level closest to the people affected, whether that’s the family, the local community, or smaller organizations, rather than being dictated by larger, centralized authorities like the state or national government. In essence, subsidiarity respects the dignity and autonomy of individuals and smaller communities, acknowledging that they often know best how to respond to their unique needs.
The principle is often contrasted with the concept of centralization, where decisions are made by distant authorities with little regard for the needs or capacities of smaller groups. Subsidiarity insists that higher levels of authority (such as national or global governments) should only intervene when local authorities are unable to address an issue effectively.
The Connection Between Subsidiarity and Family Life
Family is, according to Catholic teaching, is the building block of a healthy society. It’s in the family that individuals first experience love, care, and learn social skills, which lay the foundation for their future development and integration into society. Healthy families are essential for the proper functioning of society as a whole, and subsidiarity speaks directly to the importance of maintaining family autonomy.
When families are empowered to make decisions for themselves, free from unnecessary interference, they are better able to fulfill their primary role as caregivers and educators of their children. Catholic social teaching emphasizes that the state should avoid intruding too much into family life, instead supporting families in their essential functions. For instance, when policies or social programs are designed, they should enable families to thrive, not undermine their ability to operate.
This ties closely to the idea of attachment theory, a psychological framework that focuses on the importance of early relationships—especially those between parents and children—in shaping emotional and psychological development. Attachment theory emphasizes the need for children to develop secure attachments to their caregivers in order to grow into emotionally healthy, well-adjusted adults. This requires an environment where parents are free to be attentive and responsive to their children’s needs without being overburdened by external pressures.
The connection between subsidiarity and attachment theory lies in the recognition that families must be allowed to nurture secure attachments without interference from distant, often detached, authorities. Research on attachment theory highlights how children who grow up in secure, loving environments tend to have better emotional regulation, stronger social bonds, and healthier relationships in adulthood. However, the ability to form these attachments can be compromised if families are too stressed or undermined by external forces, such as economic hardship, social instability, or policies that fail to respect the autonomy of the family unit.
By applying subsidiarity, society acknowledges the critical role that families play in fostering healthy emotional development. It provides a framework for advocating policies that support family life—whether through accessible healthcare, parental leave, or educational support—without eroding the core responsibilities and rights of parents to make decisions about how to raise their children. When families have the freedom and resources to care for their children in a stable, loving environment, the foundational bonds of attachment are strengthened, leading to healthier individuals and, ultimately, a healthier society.
Why Subsidiarity Matters Now More Than Ever
In our modern world, where the role of government often extends far into personal and family life, the principle of subsidiarity offers a necessary reminder: society is healthiest when its most basic building blocks—families, local communities, and smaller associations—are given the space and support to function effectively. This doesn’t mean rejecting support from larger institutions; rather, it means creating systems that empower families and local communities to thrive and take responsibility for their own well-being.
In a world that often looks to centralized systems for solutions, subsidiarity reminds us that the most effective and compassionate solutions are often those that are closest to home—where the bonds of family and community can flourish. Supporting subsidiarity isn’t just about political or economic policies; it’s about ensuring that families are given the space, support, and freedom they need to thrive. In doing so, we build a society that values human dignity, fosters emotional health, and encourages the growth of strong, resilient individuals who are capable of contributing to the common good.