3.7: devolution

devolution and fragmentation

devolution: the transfer or delegation of power to a lower level, especially by central government to local or regional administration
autonomous regions * autonomous regions have various levels of government to govern ethnic minority regions * not completely independent * many Indigenous nations follow this model (eg. Navajo nation in the United States and other Indigenous reservations) * some religion-based regions, eg. Jewish autonomous regions in Russia * both federal and unitary states have autonomous regions
subnationalism * local power increases but belong to nations, not states * subnationalists pledge allegiance to regions or other unifying factors rather than states * eg. Quebec, Canada * goals of subnationalist groups include equality, independence, and development
balkanization * whole state in ethnic conflict * eg. Balkan mountain region (1900’s) → communications were difficult to maintain, lots of unique cultural/ethnic groups (eg. Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, Bulgars, Romanians, etc.) * demanding independence 2x in the 20th century
impact of technology * internet, social media, and travel * promote globalization (connections) * weakened nationalism to an extent (helping subnational groups organize) * supported democratization (helping reform movements communicate with each other) * created digital divide between states with and without access to the Internet * increased time-space compression
centrifugal and centripetal forces * centrifugal force — a uniting force within a population * centripetal force — a dividing force within a population * some forces can be both centrifugal and centripetal at once, for different reasons * eg. political elections unite certain groups under support for a certain leader but divide these groups from each other because of their strong but opposing views * centrifugal forces * regionalism helps create * when minorities are clustered, they become more self-aware of their situation within a larger population * this could lead them to try to creak apart from the state (eg. Quebec) * globalization has widened the rich/poor gap within states, which is another good example of this kind of force * centrifugal forces have largely intensified in recent years with the rise of globalization → decrease in sovereignty and better economic circumstances created empowerment for nations pushing for more autonomy * centripetal forces * many groups use forces such as political identities, economic state, and cultural practices to promote unity * political unity — promoted by: * unifying institutions (eg. schools) to educate students on state accomplishments or promoting historically significant holidays * promotion of nationalism and pride in national identity * economic development — building infrastructure * eg. creating higher quality and efficiency transportation opportunities, making better roads/railways, trade can improve as well as communications * trade usually benefits certain groups more than others, so this can spur conflict and act as a centrifugal force * better transportation = more interaction between ethno-linguistic groups * better communications and trade = fewer social barriers * cultural practices — often shared with homogenous populations * eg. Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan largely observe Ramadan

factors leading to devolution

administrative, legislative, and judicial power developed among national and subnational governments, whose structures vary by country
factors such as physical geography, ethnic and linguistic divides, terrorism, economic upheaval, and social unrest can spur/accelerate devolution * physical geography * isolation → devolution * eg. isolation in the Kashmir region of India/Pakistan * other physical features which often cause separation are deserts, plateaus, mountain ranges, and bodies of water which prevent transportation across them * ethnic separatism * because of divisions within and between ethnic groups, social uprisings can be spurred in regions experiencing such conflicts * eg. Basques vs. Catalans in Spain * terrorism * usually by non-government groups, but can be carried out by the government/military forces * eg. Basque group fighting for independence in Spain * economics * uneven development leads to economic inequities * eg. Indigenous peoples of the Amazon in South America may be against extraction from and development of their land, especially without benefitting from it * social issues * can follow geographic boundaries such as pockets of certain cultures or religions * social devolution * eg. distinct languages in regions of the US and Canada * irredentism * major form of devolution emphasizing “the restoration to a country of any territory formerly belonging to it”