noun

• (in politics) the principle that a central authority should have a subsidiary function, performing only those tasks which cannot be performed at a more local level.

  as modifier ‘the Maastricht Treaty reasserts the rights of member nation states through the subsidiarity principle’

  More example sentences

  • ‘They have also applied the principle of subsidiarity to empower sub-national and not merely national governments vis-à-vis Brussels.’
  • ‘Social policy as embodied in the welfare state belongs, following the principle of subsidiarity, to the member states.’
  • ‘Most groups now also suggest localization and subsidiarity as key principles opposed to globalization.’
  • ‘What is needed among the first steps to recovery is a vigorous defense of the principle of subsidiarity, according to which we understand that, for every important operation of society, authority should be held at the most local level.’
  • ‘Power-sharing in most federal regimes is governed by the subsidiarity principle, with powers formally divided in a way that brings government as close to the citizen as possible.’
  • ‘In many respects, the development of international human rights is an example of the principle of subsidiarity - the international community only steps in when the State cannot or will not deal with the problem.’
  • ‘Associations that contribute to public welfare typically operate according to the principle of subsidiarity.’
  • ‘The resolution must indicate the appropriate legal basis and be accompanied by detailed recommendations and must respect the principle of subsidiarity and the fundamental rights of citizens.’
  • ‘However, this proposition sits uneasily with the principle of subsidiarity, and does not take into account the fact that national policies might pursue different goals from that of the Community.’
  • ‘Thirdly, politicians and managers must rethink organisational roles, nurturing the principle of subsidiarity.’
  • ‘Two further measures are worthy of mention: EU citizenship and the principle of subsidiarity.’
  • ‘And in the German and Dutch welfare systems - very different from Nordic social democracies - subsidiarity and sphere sovereignty paved the way.’
  • ‘Clearly, the principle of subsidiarity has little content under the draft constitution.’
  • ‘Whether greater collaboration and the implementation of the principle of subsidiarity may cause a further development of the church's teachings on these matters is beyond the scope of these reflections.’
  • ‘While religious leaders have the attention of politicians and the media, they must advance a comprehensive agenda for urban change informed by the principle of subsidiarity.’
  • ‘The principle of subsidiarity is strengthened.’
  • ‘The Catholic principle of subsidiarity affirms an important role for the state, but also a crucial role for other societal institutions.’
  • ‘How does all of this square with the principle of subsidiarity in the EU?’
  • ‘According to the Maastricht Treaty, for areas that do not fall under the exclusive competence of the EU the subsidiarity principle should be applied.’
  • ‘It runs counter to the principle of subsidiarity and the Commission neither has the legal right nor the resources to engage in this work.’