Subsidiarity as the Magic Key to Europe’s Future: Conceptual and Theoretical Interpretations of Subsidiarity in the Context of the Current Debates on the Future of the European Union

Subsidiarity is a key concept in the current political, legal, and civil discourse on the future of the European Union. The Member States of the European Union as well as the EU institutions have recently declared that subsidiarity is the principle according to which of European integration shall operate in the future. In light of that, the aim of this theoretical and conceptual article is to provide a suitable interpretation from the EU point of view. After summarizing the main steps of political and legal evolution, subsidiarity is interpreted by the theories of European integration. By addressing the current initiatives of the EU to involve European citizens more in shaping the EU’s future, this article argues that the principle of subsidiarity is a promise of a more democratic European Union in the future. Through a more effective participation of local, regional, and civil actors and stakeholders in EU’s multi-level governance, the EU can get closer to its citizens that has been a cherished dream for a long time in Europe. Further, if the European Union and its institutions succeed in better channeling local and regional interests to EU’s decision-making, the political system of the Union can also take a huge step in the direction of a more participative democracy.