Devolution, << `dehv` uh LOO shuhn, >> occurs when a country’s central government grants some of its powers to regional governments. In some cases, devolution creates new regional governing bodies. Such responsibilities as defense and foreign policy remain with the central government. Responsibilities administered on a local level, such as education or transportation, devolve (transfer) to the regional governments.
For example, in the late 1990’s, the government of the United Kingdom devolved some of its powers to the governments of Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. In each region, a new assembly of elected representatives was created to handle the new responsibilities.
Devolution is different from federalism. Under federalism, the powers of central and of regional government are defined by laws that neither side can easily change. Under devolution, the central government controls the arrangement. It can extend, alter, or take back the responsibilities it has given to the regions. In practice, however, the central government may find that it cannot take back the powers it has given out. Once regions have governed themselves, they may be reluctant to give up self-rule.
