subsidiäritet

Subsidiaritet is a principle in political philosophy and international relations that suggests decisions should be made at the lowest possible or most local level of authority. This means that a central authority should only undertake tasks that cannot be effectively handled at a more local level. The principle is often invoked in discussions about federalism, European Union governance, and the division of powers between different levels of government.

The core idea behind subsidiarity is to empower individuals and local communities by allowing them to manage their own affairs as much as possible. It is believed that this promotes greater efficiency, responsiveness, and democratic participation. When higher levels of authority do intervene, it should be to support or assist the lower levels, not to replace them entirely.

In the context of the European Union, the principle of subsidiarity is enshrined in the Treaty on European Union. It dictates that the EU should only act where objectives cannot be sufficiently achieved by the member states themselves, either at central or regional and local levels, but can rather, by reason of the scale or effects of the proposed action, be better achieved at Union level. This principle serves as a safeguard against over-centralization of power within the EU.

The application of subsidiarity can sometimes be complex and debated, as determining the "lowest possible level" or the most effective level of action can be subjective. However, it remains a fundamental concept in structuring governance and ensuring that power is exercised at the most appropriate level.