Subsidiarity as an experience and inspiration: The case for Regionomics in North Brabant

The principle of subsidiarity has been enshrined in European politics since the development of Catholic social teaching and the emergence of Christian Democratic parties, culminating in it becoming a core guiding principle for the actions of the EU. However the roots of the concept go far deeper than the simple interaction between the EU and other levels of government, as subsidiarity is a reflection of the relational and social characteristics of human beings and their mutual interdependence. In addition, the principle of subsidiarity should not only be considered in its vertical dimension between various levels of power, but also horizontally in terms of the interactions between different forms of organisation (e.g. state, civil society and the market). In the end, active subsidiarity is what distinguishes the European perspective on society from the Anglo-American emphasis on freedom and a just society