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Thinking local

Most New Zealand politicians would agree (at least in public) that people don't exist for the sake of government; rather, government exists for the sake of the people. It follows, then, that good government supports people to do and be what they want (where this does not conflict with the common good).

They need to let you

This simple idea is behind the principle known as 'subsidiarity', which says that decisions should be made at the most local possible level – by individuals, families, local communities, regions and so on. Central authorities should support these more local groupings by directing, urging, restraining and regulating, but should itself do only those tasks that cannot be done at a more local level.

The principle is most commonly applied to government, but it can apply to any type of entity – social, economic, religious, commercial.

It is also most commonly used in debate about restraints on large organisations, such as central governments, preventing them from interfering with activity at a more local level.

You need to do it!

However, the reverse responsibility also applies. More local groupings need to make decisions and take actions that they are able to take, rather than depending on central government. Some political philosophers go still further, suggesting that individuals, families and local communities should resist any attempt from a more central authority to take over their responsibilities!

DecisionMaker Publications is committed to supporting citizenship participation in government – local and central. This edition, both the print version and the extended on-line edition, gives case-studies and ideas about participation in different circumstances and different population groups.