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devolution

dee-vuh-LOO-shun /ˌdiːvəˈluːʃən/

nounC1GREIELTSUPSC

academicpoliticalformal

The statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to local or regional administrations.

Devolution involves shifting decision-making powers down, but ultimate sovereignty legally remains with the central authority.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'devolvere' meaning 'to roll down'. Originally used in legal contexts for property passing down through inheritance, it was adapted politically to describe rolling power down from central governments.

Word relationships

delegation: 'Delegation' is general assignment of tasks, whereas 'devolution' specifically means statutory transfer of political governance powers.

centralization: 'Centralization' pulls authority inward to the national core, whereas 'devolution' shifts authority outward.

Commonly confused with

evolution: 'Evolution' is gradual organic development; 'devolution' is a deliberate legal transfer of authority downward.

Word family

devolve (verb): To transfer power down to a lower level.
devolved (adjective): Transferred to a lower authority.

Collocations

process of devolution
devolved powers
devolution settlement
further devolution

Example sentences

"The process of devolution in the late 1990s led to the creation of the Scottish Parliament and the Welsh Assembly." UK political history

Memory hook

Power rolls DOWN (de-volvere) from the capital to the provinces. Power rolling downward.

When not to use

Do not use devolution when regional units have inherent constitutional rights that the central government cannot revoke (that is federalism).

Fun facts

The UK's Parliament could technically revoke devolution at any time because of the principle of parliamentary sovereignty.