Balkanization refers to the process of dividing a region or country into smaller, often mutually hostile, units. Upload unlimited documents and save them online. A. For example, the European Union has played a role in encouraging devolution within its member states as a way to promote regional integration and cooperation. Devolution is a form of decentralization in federal states. Sharia law was mentioned above; English law is inherited from the UK; Common law is comprised of the laws that have been passed since independence. While both devolution and federalism are very similar in terms of who has powers and control, there is one key difference that separates the two. Devolution usually occurs through conventional statutes rather than through a change in a countrys constitution; thus, unitary systems of government that have devolved powers in this manner are still considered unitary rather than federal systems, because the powers of the subnational authorities can be withdrawn by the central government at any time (compare federalism). The parents own the house and make the rules. All rights reserved. The movement of power from a central government to regional governments (or subnational governments). Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland is an autonomous region in the United Kingdom with its own devolved government and assembly. Many of the example of devolution are in Europe, but they exist all across the world. To ease this tension, the U.K. and Northern Ireland signed the 1998 Good Friday or Belfast Agreement. Devolution is very similar to federalism. That region may request a devolved government to govern itself in a way that's more relevant to its unique needs. Unit 7: Compare Rostow & Wallerstein Models of Development . Flemish independence movement: The Flemish independence movement is a political movement in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium, that seeks independence from Belgium. Richer areas of the country can also feel put upon by having to provide subsidies to poorer ones. Clashes have escalated at times into wars. For example, countries that have federal systems of government may have more established mechanisms for devolution, while countries with unitary systems may need to adopt new laws or constitutional amendments to enable devolution. Devolution is the process of decentralization where a central government relinquishing power to smaller governing regions. Learn more about our school licenses here. The former Soviet Union is a classic example of devolution. In Brazil, Amazonian tribes want more ownership of the resources in their area. - Definition & Meaning, What is a Summary Offense? The military governed reunited Nigeria until 1979 when there was a 4-year democratic interlude called the Second Nigerian Republic, with a new constitution. It was a communist state, but was not aligned with the Soviets. Cultural boundaries usually closely follow ethnicity and can separate two or more cultural groups. A. Most of the worlds 200 states have multicultural populations, so there are many examples of ethno-cultural devolution. Support for the scope of devolution differed in both Scotland and Wales and affected the proposals; Scotland was offered a parliament that would have the ability to pass legislation and set some of its own taxation rates, while the Welsh Assembly would have neither power and instead would be primarily vested with the ability to determine how legislation passed in London was implemented in Wales. Many separatist groups exist on the periphery and suffer from political and economic inequality and unequal treatment. Devolutionary pressures result in increased autonomy for a region. Fig. In simple terms, devolution is when a centralized governing power chooses to relinquish some power and authority to the smaller governing regions within their power. Ethnic separatism occurs when minority groups fight for independence. After 50 years of communist rule, centrifugal forces in the 1980s increased multiculturalism, multi-nationalism, and economic troubles. Similar forces are also felt in other regions of the world. The biggest difference between devolution and federalism is that federalism is guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States. Review the most importanttopics in Physics and Algebra 1. That is the case of the Scots in Great Britain. Will you pass the quiz? Alternatively, a region may be populated by a particular ethnicity that has its own identity different than the dominant ethnic identity in the nation. Also if there is a very large state it is harder to control, making regions want to break off. During referendums, regions such as Catalonia, Quebec, and Scotland have seen 40% or more of their populations vote in favor of secession (complete separation), but these places have not achieved independence. Quebec has a high degree of self-governance and is responsible for matters such as education, health care, and cultural affairs within its borders. How do you hold together a country comprised of hundreds of ethnic nations when some of those nations wish to break away and form their own countries and others don't get along with each other? This time, they went for the US model: a president as head of government and head of state, over the Executive Branch; a Judicial Branch; a Legislative Branch with a bicameral legislature (National Assembly with Senate and House of Representatives). In 1997, native Hawaiians demanded the return of certain rights lost during the "occupation" of the island nation by the United States. Under centralized power, the parents could make a rule that the heating and cooling system is not allowed to run during the day while no one is in the house. Those independent countries, however, are still experiencing the after-effects of European influence and struggle with economic and political unrest. Factors such as the presence of strong regional or local political parties or movements, the level of support for devolution among the public, and the willingness of the central government to cede power can all shape the devolutionary process. But what if the attic kids feel like they need to make different rules because their space is different than the basement kids? That is the case of the Scots in Great Britain. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss the changes resulting from supranationalism, C. With reference to the political and economic geography of Europe, briefly discuss three changes resulting from devolution, Discuss three changes resulting from devolution in Europe (3 points). Describe how cultural diversity contributes to devolutionary pressures within a country. Failed examples included Sudan, the USSR, and Yugoslavia. Breakup of a state (balkanization), Breakup of a state, e.g., Yugoslavia/Balkans, former U.S.S.R., Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia/Eritrea, Austria-Hungary, British India. The end of the Cold War saw the breakup of the former Soviet Union. Now with over 200 million people and Africa's largest economy, Nigeria has survived as a single country despite enormous problems. But the challenges the "giant of Africa" faces are still grave. . Remember, in this context; a state refers to a country and not a subdivision of the United States. Some of the world's most contentious and vexing disputes involve territory in: Crimea. Despite autonomy, independence movements are strong. These organizations range from stateless terrorist groups to cultural minorities within the state, to other countries seeking to expand their political-territorial aims. The strong devolutionary forces that advocate for nation-state status are challenged by the need to belong to a larger union for economic survival. He has a Masters in Education from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. For example, regions or localities that are wealthier or have a strong economic base may be more likely to advocate for devolution, as they may see it as a way to further their economic interests. In Italy, the richer north pushed for autonomy from the poorer south. Economic factors: Economic considerations, such as the distribution of wealth and resources across different regions or localities, can also influence the devolutionary process. StudySmarter is commited to creating, free, high quality explainations, opening education to all. However, debates still rage over whether enough power was devolved in the U.K. This trend was also experienced throughout the world, though perhaps the two most notable instances of devolution occurred in France in the 1980s and the United Kingdom in the late 1990s. Unity, in other words, is not a quick or easy process. Self-determination has allowed the restoration of Islamic law (Sharia) in 12 states, for example, which had been the case historically in the North. Professor of Political Science, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, and Director of Policy and Research at Search for Common Ground USA. Usman dan Fodio founded what state in the 1800s? Many of Nigeria's ethnic groups once ruled powerful states such as the Sokoto Caliphate (1804-1903, Fulani), the Kanem-Bornu Empire (which lasted over 1,000 years), and so forth. During the 1980s and 90s, however, support for devolution increased in both countries, particularly because, despite the fact that voters in both Scotland and Wales elected Labour candidates to the House of Commons by an overwhelming majority, the national government in London was dominated continuously for more than 18 years by the Conservative Party (197997). Other shared traditions around religion, clothing, food, and language can also unite people. This is the basic idea behind devolution. Discontent is so extreme that militant Ijaw of the Niger Delta to the West, who have suffered human rights abuses for decades and fought their own guerrilla wars over oil with the federal government, have voiced support for the Igbo. That process might lead to calls for a devolved government. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. There are still growing pains in the region, but ethnic groups have much more autonomy today than they did under the former Soviet Union. Gov. Devolution: Examples | What Does Devolution of Power Mean? On Sept. 11, 1997, voters in Scotland overwhelmingly backed the creation of a Scottish Parliament with tax-raising authority, and one week later Welsh voters narrowly approved the creation of the Welsh Assembly; both bodies began sittings in 1999. Create your account, 21 chapters | Nigeria is far more ethnically diverse than Europe, a continent that is still not united and has escalated its conflicts to the level of world wars. Meanwhile, tensions in Northern Ireland were running high. Ukraine is a multi-ethnic state with a complex political landscape, and regional and ethnic tensions have contributed to the emergence of competing power centers. It didn't work out that way. The United States is not immune to devolutionary forces. G. Identify and explain one impact on population which can result from devolutionary pressures related to cultural differences in either Spain or Nigeria. Belgium is distinctly divided into two distinct regions, the Flemish in the north and the Walloons in the south. Devolution is the decentralization of power from a central government to regional governments to allow ethnic nations and other groups a degree of autonomy; this can ease tensions and guard against regions seceding and forming their own countries, as Biafra did in Nigeria. She and her parents often fight about curfews, how often she cleans her room, and even her use of the air conditioning. a region caught between stronger colliding external cultural-political forces, under persistent stress, and ofter fragmented by aggressive rivals. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. Well give you challenging practice questions to help you achieve mastery in AP Human Geography. These areas have some local autonomy because the physical barriers make it difficult for a central government to rule. The movement is driven by a desire to protect the French language and culture of Quebec, and to give the people of Quebec more control over their own affairs. Transfer of decision making power from a central government to a lower level or the break up of states. However, before devolution, the situation in the Canadian territories was strikingly similar to the one in the American West today. Boundaries are thin, invisible markers that can be cultural, physical, or both. Balkanization can have a number of negative consequences, including political instability, economic disruption, and conflict. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 Extradition Overview, Laws & Examples | What is Extradition? Sometimes, these boundaries change suddenly because of armed conflict or states change gradually through the process of devolution. Political: There are cases when the political ideals between different regions vary too much to reside under the same laws and policies. The United States is not immune to devolutionary forces. Tibet is responsible for matters such as education, public health, and environmental protection within its borders. The Scottish people have a very different cultural heritage than the English. The national government in Westminster has devolved some of its powers to councils, such as setting council tax and organising rubbish collection. The new military government created provinces from the regions to allow for more representation, but it was too late. Here are a few examples of historical devolution. The central government still has some influence, such as borrowing money and levying taxes, but the local regions maintain a very large area of local control. But so far, devolution in Nigeria has worked without military rule now for over two decades. Constitutional Democracy: Help and Review, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Introduction to the Study of American Government: Help and Review, The Spread of Democratic Ideals During the Revolutionary War, The Articles of Confederation and the Northwest Ordinance, Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and Shays Rebellion, The Constitutional Convention: The Great Compromise, The Ratification of the Constitution and the New U.S. Government, The US Constitution: Preamble, Articles and Amendments, Constitutional Provisions for Limited Government, The Bill of Rights: The Constitution's First 10 Amendments, Bicameral Legislature: Definition & Features, What is Representative Democracy? The table below shows and explains three important historical reasons for devolution. This issue might cause the basement and attic kids to approach the parents and ask if they could make their own rules regarding climate control because the current rules don't work for their situation. True or False: Traditional leaders have no power in Nigeria. Devolution is the transfer of jurisdiction over territorial lands from the Canadian federal government to the territorial governments. Economic forces can cause devolution as well. D. Describe how physical geography and territorial size contributes todevolutionary pressures within a country. This AP Human Geography study guide is going to seek to describe the concept of devolution through the lens of the contemporary political-territorial world order. The old saw is that other poor southern states always say, "Thank God for . endobj Well give you challenging practice questions to help you achieve mastery in AP Human Geography. For a multinational state with 500+ languages spoken and strong animosities between South and North, this was a way tensions could ease, it was thought. 4 0 obj In 1999, Nunavut officially broke from the Northwest Territory . Nomadic pastoralists, principally Fulani cattle herders, have traditionally had difficult relationships with farmers of many ethnicities and religions. For example, supporters of states rights in the United States favoured diffusing power away from Washington, D.C., toward state and local governments. Chain Migration Overview & Examples | What is Chain Migration? Let's look back at the example of the house with the eight kids. Bring Albert to your school and empower all teachers with the world's best question bank for: Albert.io lets you customize your learning experience to target practice where you need the most help. With a federalist government, the power granted to local regions is guaranteed by the constitution, so it cannot be revoked. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. She's still a member of the household, but she can make more decisions for herself. Create and find flashcards in record time. Devolutionary strategies have always been favored in Nigeria as a way of allowing all peoples representation while balancing the influences of the most powerful ethnic groups and dealing with several other major factors. The United Kingdom is an example of devolution because England has given some powers to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland who are the other countries in the United Kingdom. These irredentist extremists support a "Caliphate" wiping away current boundaries and restoring a political map that last existed a millennium ago. Religious wars date back centuries. Haiti gained their independence from France because they desired to become their own nation without ties to a European power. The movement is driven by a desire to protect Flemish culture and language, and to give the people of Flanders more control over their own affairs. But these countries didn't always live in harmony and were independent nations at different points in history. E. Identify and explain one internal effort on the part of a government to lessen devolutionary pressures in a country. Plus, get practice tests, quizzes, and personalized coaching to help you Economies of Scale Examples & Types | What are Economies of Scale? In other cases, autonomous regions may have more limited powers and may be responsible for implementing the policies of the central government within their respective regions. Another ethnic minority seeking more autonomy are the Tamils in Sri Lanka. . examples of devolution former Yugoslavia historical geographical context: physical geography relative location: zone of politico-geographical splintering and fracturing birth of Yugoslavia Tito devolution of USSR ethnic and religious divisions: Serbs (Eastern Orthodox), Croats (Roman Catholic), Muslim Slavs Here are a few examples of autonomous regions: Catalonia: Catalonia is an autonomous region in northeastern Spain with its own parliament, government, and language. What system of government does Nigeria use? The movement of power from the central government to regional governments within the state or breakup of a large state (balkanization) into several independent ones is known as devolution. The recent military occupation by Russian forces and subsequent referendum to join Russia . Nigeria has pursued decentralization progressively since independence in the 1960s and is now in the Fourth Republic. Some examples include a shared religion, external threats, a stable government, and a common language. With a bicameral legislature, each state has proportional representation in the Nigerian House of Representatives, but also three Senators per state. A nation is a group of unified people with a common culture. Hawaii also has a group of natives who want to separate from the United States. The First Nigerian Republic lasted three years and ended in a coup. Somalia is in dispute with Ethiopia over the rights of Somalis living in the contested border between the two states. The Kashmir area between India and Pakistan can feel isolated because it is separated by the Himalayan and Pir Panjal mountains. It's important to understand that those powers can be taken away without notice. Some of the key factors that can shape the devolutionary process include: Political context: The political context, including the balance of power between different levels of government and the broader political landscape, can have a significant impact on the devolutionary process.