Blog post 4

Before reading the Catholic Social Teaching text, I thought that subsidiarity was merely the belief that local and smaller governments should have political power with the exclusion of a federal government to grant smaller governments political power. After reading the CST text, I found out that a federal government or a higher level of government is necessary and is responsible for giving smaller governments power, much like what is supposed to be practiced today. The CST reading states that "without the authority and funding mechanisms of a centralized government, neither national defense, nor a parks system for preserving wildlife, nor many other desirable resources would be possible" (pg 90). This type of help from a centralized government is very much needed and can also serve as a system of checks and balances. For example, without a national defense, a state stands no chance against an opposing country who wishes to do damage. However, one of the main principles of subsidiarity is the crucial distinction between state and society. The state is meant to serve the people not control it. Similarly, higher levels of government such as the federal government is meant to serve the people not control it, unless of course, for example, a state is acting inhumane by discriminating against a certain group, then the federal government should take action in order to ensure all members of the state are being served well. In the State and Local Government textbook, devolution is described as the delegation of power granted to state and local governments from the federal government. Subsidiarity and devolution are both very similar and one of the benefits they both share is that both definitions respect the natural groupings that people form with their neighbors. In Kenya, as an attempt to decentralize and bring government closer to the people, devolution is being practiced. Because Africa is so large and diverse, power to county governments may be more beneficial than a centralized government and may alleviate much of the tension faced in Kenya today. The intent of the establishment of this new constitution is to better understand fiscal implications of revenue and addressing the imbalances. In addition, its purpose is to strengthen the county through public financial management and public sector capacity. To ensure better access to county level data and monitoring of subnational performance so that the county can compare their progress and address their weaknesses. Also, to enhance devolved service delivery via the World Bank's portfolio and donor coordination. The new constitution also ensure proper checks and balances which can decrease the chances of political corruption. In the Catholic Social Teaching reading, it states that "Overly intrusive government reduces incentives for beneficial self-help and may have such unintended consequences as fostering an attitude of learned helplessness" (pg  90). Over dependence of the federal government not only gives the government too much power making it easier for corruption to take place however, because it is so far from local people of a county, it is difficult for the government to know and understand what exactly it is the people need. In addition, it gives the federal government, in my opinion, too much to handle. Quality over quantity should always be practiced in governing and serving the people that is why it is necessary to have many smaller forms of governments. That is why the devolution system in Kenya, if done properly with the purpose of truly serving the community, should be a success.