Definition of devolution Devolution

/dɛˌvʌluˈʃʌn/ - [devulushun] - dev•o•lu•tion

We found 13 definitions of devolution from 7 different sources.

What does devolution mean?

Noun Plural: devolutions
devolution - the delegation of authority (especially from a central to a regional government)
		devolvement
		delegating, relegating, delegation, deputation, relegation authorizing subordinates to make certain decisions
		governing, government activity, governance, government, administration the act of governing; exercising authority; "regulations for the governing of state prisons"; "he had considerable experience of government"
devolution - the process of declining from a higher to a lower level of effective power or vitality or essential quality
		degeneration
		evolution, development (biology) the sequence of events involved in the evolutionary development of a species or taxonomic group of organisms
		physical process, process a sustained phenomenon or one marked by gradual changes through a series of states; "events now in process"; "the process of calcification begins later for boys than for girls"
		attack a decisive manner of beginning a musical tone or phrase
		obsolescence the process of becoming obsolete; falling into disuse or becoming out of date; "a policy of planned obsolescence"

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devolution (Noun)
A rolling down.
devolution (Noun)
A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession.
devolution (Noun)
The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another.
devolution (Noun)
Degeneration as opposed to evolution.
devolution (Noun)
The transfer of some powers, and the delegation of some functions, from a central sovereign government to local government; eg. from Westminster to Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly .

devolution (n.)
The act of rolling down.
devolution (n.)
Transference from one person to another; a passing or devolving upon a successor.

devolution
The act of assigning or entrusting authority, powers or functions to another as deputy or agent, typically to a subordinate in the administrative structure of an organization or institution.

devolution
dev-ol-ū′shun, n. a passing from one person to another. [See Devolve.]

Devolution is giving government powers to a less important government body. It is sometimes called "Home Rule".

In the United Kingdom devolution has happened in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Each of these three countries now has an elected legislature which can pass some laws and a government to administer those laws and propose new ones.

There is no devolution to Cornwall yet.

Devolved assemblies depend on the parent body. The British government could change its mind and abolish the devolved assemblies. This happened in 1972 to the government and parliament of Northern Ireland. It had been set up in 1920, with the parliament of Southern Ireland.

This is different from a federal country. In a federal country like Germany the states, and their powers, exist because of the constitution, not because of the national parliament.