Devolution Definition

When most people think of devolution, they think of the process by which a central government transfers power to a lower level. This is the most common form of devolution, but it is not the only one. Devolution can also refer to the transfer of power from one person or group to another.

The word “devolution” comes from the Latin word “devolvere,” which means “to roll down.” In politics, devolution is the transfer of power from a centralized government to regional or local governments. The purpose of devolution is to give these regional and local governments more control over their own affairs. Devolution occurs in federal systems of government, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. It can also occur in unitary systems, such as France and the United Kingdom.

There are several reasons why central governments might choose to devolve power. One reason is to promote economic development. Another reason is to respond to demands for greater autonomy from regional or local governments. Still another reason is to reduce the workload of the central government so that it can focus on more important matters.

Devolution typically involves the transfer of money, powers, and resources from the central government to regional or local governments. It can also involve the transfer of decision-making authority from central government officials to regional or local officials. In some cases, devolution may even involve the transfer of constitutional authority from the central government