4.8 Defining Devolutionary Factors

What is Devolution?

What Affects Devolution?

1. Political context: The political context, including the balance of power between different levels of government and the broader political landscape, can have a significant impact on the devolutionary process. Factors such as the presence of strong regional or local political parties or movements, the level of support for devolution among the public, and the willingness of the central government to cede power can all shape the devolutionary process.
2. Economic factors: Economic considerations, such as the distribution of wealth and resources across different regions or localities, can also influence the devolutionary process. For example, regions or localities that are wealthier or have a strong economic base may be more likely to advocate for devolution, as they may see it as a way to further their economic interests.
3. Historical and cultural factors: The history and culture of a region or locality can also play a role in shaping the devolutionary process. Factors such as the presence of a distinct regional or local identity, the history of relations between different levels of government, and the extent to which regional or local traditions and practices are valued can all influence the devolutionary process.
4. Legal and constitutional frameworks: The legal and constitutional frameworks in place can also shape the devolutionary process. For example, countries that have federal systems of government may have more established mechanisms for devolution, while countries with unitary systems may need to adopt new laws or constitutional amendments to enable devolution.
5. International factors: International factors, such as the influence of international organizations or the presence of regional or international actors, can also shape the devolutionary process. For example, the European Union has played a role in encouraging devolution within its member states as a way to promote regional integration and cooperation.

Forces that Lead to Devolution

Fragmentation of States

Autonomous Regions

1. Catalonia: Catalonia is an autonomous region in northeastern Spain with its own parliament, government, and language. Catalonia has a high degree of self-governance and is responsible for matters such as education, health care, and cultural affairs within its borders.
2. Tibet: Tibet is an autonomous region in China with a high degree of self-governance and a unique cultural and religious identity. Tibet is responsible for matters such as education, public health, and environmental protection within its borders.
3. Kurdistan: Kurdistan is an autonomous region in northern Iraq with its own parliament, government, and military. Kurdistan has a high degree of self-governance and is responsible for matters such as education, health care, and economic development within its borders.
4. Quebec: Quebec is an autonomous region in eastern Canada with its own parliament, government, and language. Quebec has a high degree of self-governance and is responsible for matters such as education, health care, and cultural affairs within its borders.
5. Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is an autonomous region in the United Kingdom with its own devolved government and assembly. Northern Ireland has a high degree of self-governance and is responsible for matters such as education, health care, and economic development within its borders.

Sub-Nationalists

1. Catalan independence movement: The Catalan independence movement is a political movement in Catalonia, an autonomous region in northeastern Spain, that seeks independence from Spain. The movement is driven by a desire to protect Catalan culture and language, and to give the people of Catalonia more control over their own affairs.
2. Scottish independence movement: The Scottish independence movement is a political movement in Scotland that seeks independence from the United Kingdom. The movement is driven by a desire to protect Scottish culture and traditions, and to give the people of Scotland more control over their own affairs.
3. Quebec independence movement: The Quebec independence movement is a political movement in Quebec, an autonomous region in eastern Canada, that seeks independence from Canada. The movement is driven by a desire to protect the French language and culture of Quebec, and to give the people of Quebec more control over their own affairs.
4. Basque independence movement: The Basque independence movement is a political movement in the Basque region of Spain and France that seeks independence from Spain and France. The movement is driven by a desire to protect the Basque language and culture, and to give the people of the Basque region more control over their own affairs.
5. Flemish independence movement: The Flemish independence movement is a political movement in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, that seeks independence from Belgium. The movement is driven by a desire to protect Flemish culture and language, and to give the people of Flanders more control over their own affairs.

Balkanization

1. Yugoslavia: The breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s is often cited as an example of Balkanization. Yugoslavia was a multi-ethnic state that was composed of six republics and two autonomous provinces. Ethnic tensions between the different groups within Yugoslavia, as well as the influence of external actors, contributed to the breakup of the state and the creation of several independent countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Slovenia.
2. Sudan: The breakup of Sudan in 2011 is another example of Balkanization. Sudan was a multi-ethnic state that was composed of several regions with distinct cultural and linguistic identities. Ethnic tensions and a lack of trust in the central government contributed to the breakup of the state, and South Sudan became an independent country.
3. Iraq: The ongoing conflict in Iraq, including the rise of the Islamic State, is often seen as a result of Balkanization. Iraq is a multi-ethnic state with a complex political landscape, and regional and ethnic tensions have contributed to the fragmentation of the state and the emergence of competing power centers.
4. Syria: The ongoing conflict in Syria is also often seen as a result of Balkanization. Syria is a multi-ethnic state with a complex political landscape, and regional and ethnic tensions have contributed to the fragmentation of the state and the emergence of competing power centers.
5. Ukraine: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, including the annexation of Crimea by Russia, is often seen as a result of Balkanization. Ukraine is a multi-ethnic state with a complex political landscape, and regional and ethnic tensions have contributed to the emergence of competing power centers.