The Fragility of Freedom: Why Subsidiarity Matters - Softcover

Fenwick, Peter Francis

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1925138380 ISBN 13: 9781925138382

Publisher: Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd, 2014

Synopsis

We live in one of the freest and most prosperous societies in the history of mankind. Do you ever wonder why we are so fortunate?
 
Referencing the work of over fifty great political philosophers and economists, The Fragility of Freedom explores the theory that underpins our systems of liberty, prosperity and justice. It examines how progress has been constrained by the errors of the dominant political ideologies of the twentieth century; how opportunities have been squandered.
 
Instead, it proposes a moral society, based on the principle of subsidiarity, in which individuals take responsibility for themselves and their families, where voluntary organisations thrive, and the State plays a limited role.

About this title

About the Author

Peter Francis Fenwick was born in Geelong, Australia and educated at The Geelong College. He studied Civil Engineering at the Gordon Institute of Technology in Geelong, andMelbourne University, graduating in 1966. In 1972 he completed an MBA with distinction at Melbourne University. From 1976 to 2011 he ran a successful consulting business, Fenwick Software, which implements commercial systems for business in the manufacturing, distribution, and waste management recycling industries. He has established an employee shareholder scheme and five of his long-term staff now own seventy-five percent, and manage the business.

At Melbourne University, Peter studied philosophy under the charismatic Father Eric Darcy.He is an alumni of the Cranlana colloquium, a facilitated program, inspired by the Aspen Institute in the USA, designed to promote open and informed,non-partisan dialogue on the philosophical, ethical and social issues central to creating a just, prosperous and sustainable society. His philosophies,outlined in this book, were given practical expression in the culture and practices of his consulting business.

Peter has been married to Jill, a school teacher and author, since 1966. They have three sons and three grandchildren. They live in East Melbourne, Australia.

From the Back Cover

For thirty-five years,Peter Fenwick managed the professional services consultancy, Fenwick Software,which he founded in 1976. Its culture isbuilt on the principles of classic liberalism. Its employees are grantedan appropriate degree of autonomy and responsibility for their own actions, areprovided with opportunities to grow and assume more responsibility, and areencouraged to apply their skills to help each other and to deliver value fortheir clients.

In 2011, Peter established an employee-shareholder schemeand sold seventy-five percent of the business in equal parts to five key staff,one of whom, thirty-one-year old Greg Galloway is now CEO. The firm is thrivingand the culture is being maintained under his leadership.
In the Fragility of Freedom, Peter applies his experienceto a wider canvas. He explains how the coercive and regulatory powers of thestate have been captured by powerful sectional interests for their own economicbenefit, leading to corruption in public life and crony capitalism in business.Civil virtues have declined throughout the community. Leaders in politics,religion, business and the trade unions often abusepositions of trust.

The Fragility of Freedom is his quest to identifywhat is wrong and to suggest ways to put things right. The book providesreaders with a basic understanding of the cultural heritage of our Western Civilisation - thefundamental principles of liberty, prosperity and free enterprise. It discusses the consequences of socialism, the welfare state, distributivejustice and unsound money. Replete with quotations from over fiftyphilosophers and economists, it introduces readers to some of our greatthinkers. It equips readers toengage in informed debate and to challenge conventional wisdom.

Peter recommends that the role of the state be limited tofunctions that cannot be achieved by lower orders of organisation. He propose a moral societybased on the principle of subsidiarity in which individuals take responsibility for themselves andtheir families, and behave as good citizens within their community.

Edition details

• Publisher: Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1925138380
• ISBN 13: 9781925138382
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 236