There is a difference between an alliance formed between reasonably-sized political communities for the sake of some common good, defense or commerce, for example, and a larger form of political community formed from smaller communities (that are self-sufficient in themselves), with a government having authority over all of the smaller communities in fundamental matters.
Besides the question of whether subsidiarity can be maintained (and if the principle of subsidiarity really applies in such a case), there is the issue of political participation. Can there be real political participation, as Aristotle understands it, with all who are eligible having their turn holding office? Secondly, does the size of the community destroy civic prudence, at least for the majority of citizens, if not all. (Even if there is the proviso that those who are deemed to be part of the ruling elite have access to experts and those who are knowledgeable in local affairs, is this sufficient for the development of authentic civic prudence?)
Can the principle of subsidiary apply in such a situation, if that to which it is applied, the nation-state or empire, for example, is an unreasonable arrangement in the first place?
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