Subsidiaritätsprinzip
subsidiarity principle; decisions should be made at the lowest effective level of government
noun zoop-zi-dya-ri-TETS-prin-tsip Rare
Origin: from Latin subsidium (reserve)
Usage Note
Subsidiaritätsprinzip is fundamental to both EU treaties and German federalism: higher-level bodies should act only when lower-level ones cannot adequately achieve an objective. It limits centralisation and protects municipal autonomy. Plural rare.
Examples
"Das Subsidiaritätsprinzip schützt die Zuständigkeiten der Gemeinden."
Natural Translation
The subsidiarity principle protects the jurisdictions of municipalities.
Literal Translation
The subsidiarity principle protects the competencies of the municipalities.
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