subsidiarity

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   the principle that decisions and responsibilities should be handled by the lowest or most local level capable of dealing with them effectively

   Under the principle of subsidiarity, the city manages local transport while the national government handles matters that require countrywide coordination.

2. 2
   noun

   the condition of having secondary or subordinate importance

   The treaty emphasized the subsidiarity of the central body to the member organizations.

From Latin subsidiarius ("serving as support or reserve"), the source of subsidiary, plus -ity. The political principle treats a higher authority as subsidiary: it should support or take over a function only when a lower, more local body cannot perform it effectively.

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