subsidiarity

/ səbˌsɪdɪˈærɪtɪ /

noun

1. (in the Roman Catholic Church) a principle of social doctrine that all social bodies exist for the sake of the individual so that what individuals are able to do, society should not take over, and what small societies can do, larger societies should not take over

2. (in political systems) the principle of devolving decisions to the lowest practical level

Example Sentences

Oh, there has been no conversion to the principle of subsidiarity, that decisions ought to be made at the levels closest to daily life.

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But he said history makes clear that Europe is a common home to many, and he called for Europe to “revitalize its vocation to solidarity and subsidiarity today.”

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As a Catholic from a small German state, she understands subsidiarity and the resentments of smaller countries within the EU in a way Merkel the Prussian never could.

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“Children are the ones who are suffering the most from forced migration. We must respond effectively to the challenges created by these flows, balancing the principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and co-responsibility,” the statement said.

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As Catholics, we call this solidarity and subsidiarity.

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