Subsidiarity

Subsidiarity is a principle that dictates decision-making should be handled at the most local level capable of addressing the issue efficiently and effectively. It emphasizes decentralization, empowering lower levels of authority (individuals, families, local communities, or regional entities) before escalating to a higher, more centralized body (state, national, or international). It is the notion that a central authority should only perform those tasks which cannot be performed effectively at a more local or regional level. This promotes individual liberty, fosters civic engagement, and increases the responsiveness of governance to citizens' needs. It is often associated with concepts like federalism and local autonomy.

Subsidiarity meaning with examples

• Advocates of subsidiarity argued that decisions about school curricula should be made at the local school board level, allowing for greater responsiveness to the unique needs of each community rather than being dictated by a centralized national authority. This allows for flexibility in the curriculum and creates greater participation from parents.
• The European Union is structured around subsidiarity; The EU only acts where action at the Union level is more effective than action at the national level. Therefore, regulations regarding environmental protection are often decided by the EU, whereas education policy mostly falls under the remit of individual member states, such as France and Italy.
• The concept of subsidiarity applies within large corporations, where decision-making power is often distributed among different departments and teams. The marketing department, for example, might have autonomy over its budget and campaigns, promoting agility and innovation by creating marketing that is specifically tailored to the consumer.
• In healthcare, subsidiarity suggests that primary care should be delivered locally, with specialized services available at regional or national levels. This ensures accessibility and cost-effectiveness by channeling resources to where they are most needed. This encourages health systems to focus locally.
• Some political theorists apply subsidiarity to international relations, advocating for a world order where global problems like climate change are addressed through a combination of international cooperation and national policies, rather than centralized global governance, which can be ineffective and slow to respond. This is considered the appropriate level of authority for each situation.