Subsidiarity

Definition

Subsidiarity is a principle that emphasizes the importance of decision-making and action being taken at the most local and decentralized level possible, with higher levels of government or authority only intervening when necessary. It is a core concept in understanding how regional intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) contribute to global governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Subsidiarity is a guiding principle that emphasizes the decentralization of decision-making to the most appropriate and effective level of governance.
2. The principle of subsidiarity is a key feature of the European Union, where it helps determine the division of competencies between the EU and its member states.
3. Regional IGOs, such as the European Union, the African Union, and ASEAN, apply the principle of subsidiarity to determine which issues should be addressed at the regional level versus the national or local level.
4. Subsidiarity promotes efficient and responsive governance by ensuring that decisions are made as close to the citizens as possible, while still allowing for coordination and collective action at higher levels when necessary.
5. The principle of subsidiarity is often invoked to balance the need for centralized, coordinated action on global issues with the desire for local autonomy and self-determination.

Review Questions

• Explain how the principle of subsidiarity shapes the division of competencies between regional IGOs and their member states.
  • The principle of subsidiarity dictates that decision-making and policy implementation should occur at the most local and decentralized level possible. In the context of regional IGOs, this means that the organization and its member states must carefully delineate which issues should be addressed at the regional level versus the national level. Regional IGOs are typically granted authority over issues that require coordinated, collective action across multiple countries, while member states retain autonomy over more localized matters. This balance helps to ensure efficient and responsive governance, with the regional IGO intervening only when necessary to achieve shared goals.
• Analyze how the application of the subsidiarity principle can contribute to the effectiveness of regional IGOs in global governance.
  • The principle of subsidiarity can enhance the effectiveness of regional IGOs in global governance in several ways. First, by deferring to the most local and decentralized level of decision-making, subsidiarity promotes efficient and responsive governance, as policies and programs can be tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of individual member states or regions. Second, the subsidiarity principle encourages regional IGOs to focus their efforts on issues that truly require coordinated, collective action across multiple countries, rather than attempting to centralize all decision-making. This allows regional IGOs to leverage their comparative advantages and maximize their impact. Finally, the subsidiarity principle helps to balance the interests and autonomy of member states with the need for regional and global coordination, fostering greater buy-in and commitment from participating countries, which is crucial for the long-term success of regional IGOs in contributing to effective global governance.
• Evaluate how the principle of subsidiarity shapes the relationship between regional IGOs and the broader system of global governance.
  • The principle of subsidiarity is instrumental in shaping the relationship between regional IGOs and the broader system of global governance. By emphasizing decentralized decision-making and the delegation of authority to the most local and appropriate level, subsidiarity helps to define the respective roles and responsibilities of regional IGOs and global institutions, such as the United Nations. Regional IGOs can serve as intermediaries, addressing issues that are best handled at the regional level, while deferring to global institutions on matters that require worldwide coordination and cooperation. This division of labor, guided by the subsidiarity principle, can enhance the overall effectiveness of global governance by leveraging the unique strengths and capabilities of different levels of authority. At the same time, subsidiarity recognizes the importance of local autonomy and self-determination, ensuring that regional IGOs do not become mere extensions of global institutions, but rather active and engaged partners in the pursuit of shared goals and objectives.

Related terms

Decentralization: The distribution of power, authority, and responsibility away from a central, dominant location or entity to more local or regional levels.

Multilevel Governance: A system of continuous negotiation among nested governmental and non-governmental actors at different territorial tiers - supranational, national, regional, and local.

Supranationalism:

The idea that decision-making authority in specific areas of policy should be transferred to a central international organization, superseding the nation-state.