It is an injustice, a grave evil and a disturbance of right order for a large
and higher organization to arrogate to itself functions which can be
performed efficiently by smaller and lower bodies.Subsidiarity is therefore a principle that fits easily with the Christian
democratic parties of Europe.
Two further related aspects of the division of powers between
levels of government are worth exploration. First, who divides the
powers between levels of government? Second, what are the rela-
tionships between levels when they are both concerned with an issue?
These are summarised in Box 6.6.BOX 6.6 RELATIONS BETWEEN LEVELS OF
GOVERNMENT
Just over a third of modern liberal democracies have a federal or semi-
federal form of organisation, and just over a third have some form of
devolution (Keman, 2002: 268).158 STATES
In principle a FEDERAL system is one in which the allocation of powers
is independent of either level of government in question. Each has its
defined sphere of influence, this normally being laid down in a written
constitution and interpreted independently (probably by the courts) in
case of dispute.
(After Wheare, 1963)In a system of DEVOLUTION a higher level of government creates and
gives powers to a lower (elected) level of government to exercise.In a system of DECENTRALISATION subordinate local administrative
agencies are created by a central government and may be given some
discretion to interpret central policy and consult local opinion.In a CONFEDERAL system the powers of the higher-level government
are granted by the lower-level governments which may withdraw them
(as with most international organisations).
(Authors’ definitions)