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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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