I virkeligheden ligger den imidlertid ikke ret langt fra debatter om solidaritetsprincippet eller de faktorer, som driver den økonomiske udvikling, særligt de faktorer, som fremmer eller hindrer eksistensen af fungerende økonomier i medlemsstaterne.
The Treaty of the European Union acknowledges, however, that such aid is acceptable when it is intended to contribute towards the economic development of those regions in which the standard of living is well below the European average. The principle whereby active public policy is justified when it is intended to boost social cohesion is thus enshrined.