Devolution is the statutoryA statute reffers to the body of law that are made by legislature of the nation with instrument which govern the state, country or any nation. it includes laws, rules and the reulation whichhas to be followed by each citizen in the county.
A statute ...
delegation of powers from the central government
A central government is the government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists ...
of a sovereign state
A sovereign state is a political entity that is represented by one centralized government that has sovereignty over a geographic area. International law defines sovereign states as having a permanent population, defined territory, one government ...
to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local
Local may refer to:
Geography and transportation
* Local (train), a train serving local traffic demand
* Local, Missouri, a community in the United States
* Local government, a form of public administration, usually the lowest tier of administrati ...
level. It is a form of administrative decentralization
Decentralization or decentralisation is the process by which the activities of an organization, particularly those regarding planning and decision making, are distributed or delegated away from a central, authoritative location or group.
Concep ...
. Devolved territories have the power to make legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgation, promulgated (or "enactment of a bill, enacted") by a legislature or other Government, governing body or the process of making it. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill (p ...
relevant to the area, thus granting them a higher level of autonomy
File:Новая Кукковка.jpg, The Republic of Karelia is an autonomous Federal subjects of Russia, federal subject in Russia, close to borders of Finland. Picture of Petrozavodsk, the capital of the Republic of Karelia.
In developmenta ...
.
Devolution differs from federalism
Federalism is a mixed or compound mode of government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government norm ...
in that the devolved powers of the subnational authority may be temporary and are reversible, ultimately residing with the central government. Thus, the state remains ''de jure
In law and government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government normally consists of legislature, ...
'' unitary
Unitary may refer to:
* Unitary construction, in automotive design a common term for unibody (unitary body/chassis) construction
* Lethal Unitary Chemical Agents and Munitions (Unitary), as chemical weapons opposite of Binary
* Unitarianism, in Chr ...
. Legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgation, promulgated (or "enactment of a bill, enacted") by a legislature or other Government, governing body or the process of making it. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill (p ...
creating devolved parliament
In modern politics and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: Representation (politics), representing the Election#Suffrage, electorate, making laws and overseeing the g ...
s or assemblies can be repeal
A repeal (O.F. ''rapel'', modern ''rappel'', from ''rapeler'', ''rappeler'', revoke, ''re'' and ''appeler'', appeal) is the removal or reversal of a law. There are two basic types of repeal, a repeal with a re-enactment (or replacement) of the repe ...
ed or amended by central government in the same way as any statute. In federal system
Federalism is a mixed or compound mode of government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government norm ...
s, by contrast, sub-unit government is guaranteed in the constitution
A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental principles
A principle is a proposition or value that is a guide for behavior or evaluation. In law, it is a rule
Rule or ruling may refer to:
Human activity
* The exercise of political ...
, so the powers of the sub-units cannot be withdrawn unilaterally by the central government (i.e. not through the process of constitutional amendment). The sub-units therefore have a lower degree of protection under devolution than under federalism
Federalism is a mixed or compound mode of government
A government is the system or group of people governing an organized community, generally a State (polity), state.
In the case of its broad associative definition, government norm ...
.
Australia
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, smal ...
is a federation. It has six states and two territories with less power than states.
The Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT), known as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) until 1938, is a federal territory of Australia containing the Australian capital city of Canberra and some surrounding township#Australia, townships. It is loc ...
refused self-government in a 1978 referendum, but was given limited self-government by a House of Assembly
House of Assembly is a name given to the legislature
A legislature is a deliberative assembly with the authority
In the fields of sociology
Sociology is the study of society, human social behaviour, patterns of social relationships, so ...
from 1979, and a Legislative Assembly
{{Unreferenced, date=December 2009
Legislative assembly is the name given in some countries to either a legislature, or to one of its houses.
The name is used by a number of countries, including member-states of the Commonwealth of Nations
A com ...
with wider powers in 1988.
The Northern Territory
The Northern Territory (NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory shares its borders with W ...
of Australia refused statehood
A state is a polity
A polity is an identifiable political entity—any group of people who have a collective identity, who are organized by some form of institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to mobilize resources. A polity ...
in a 1998 referendum. The rejection was a surprise to both the Australian and Northern Territory governments.
Territory legislation can be disallowed by the Commonwealth Parliament in Canberra, with one notable example being the NT's short-lived voluntary euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia is where a person's life is ended at their request in order to relieve them of suffering. Voluntary euthanasia (VE) and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) have been the focus of intense debate in recent years.
Some forms o ...
legislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgation, promulgated (or "enactment of a bill, enacted") by a legislature or other Government, governing body or the process of making it. Before an item of legislation becomes law it may be known as a bill (p ...
.
Canada
AlthoughCanada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, Pacific and northward into the Arctic Ocea ...
is a federal state, a large portion of its land mass in the north is under the legislative jurisdiction of the federal government (called territories, as opposed to provinces). This has been the case since 1870. In 1870 the ''Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory Order'' effected the admission of Rupert’s Land
Rupert's Land (french: Terre de Rupert), or Prince Rupert's Land, was a territory in British North America
British North America comprised the British Empire's colonial territories in North America from 1783 to 1907, not including the Car ...
and the North-Western Territory to Canada, pursuant to section 146 of the ''Constitution Act, 1867'' and the ''Rupert’s Land Act, 1868''. The ''Manitoba Act, 1870'', which created Manitoba
, image_map = Manitoba in Canada 2.svg
, map_alt = Map showing Manitoba's location in the centre of Southern Canada
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, capital = Winni ...
out of part of Rupert’s Land, also designated the remainder of both the Northwest Territories (NWT), over which Parliament was to exercise full legislative authority under the ''Constitution Act, 1871''.
Yukon
Yukon ( ; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and sometimes referred to as The Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Provinces and territories of Canada, Canada's three territories. It also is the least populated province or territory in Cana ...
was carved from the Northwest Territories in 1898 but remained a territory. In 1905, the provinces of Alberta
("Strong and free")
, image_map = Alberta in Canada 2.svg
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, official_lang = English
, capital = Edmonton
Edmonton () is the capital ci ...
and Saskatchewan
("From Many Peoples Strength")
, image_map = Saskatchewan in Canada 2.svg
, Label_map = yes
, coordinates =
, official_lang = English language, English
, capital = Regina, Sa ...
were carved from the Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories (commonly abbreviated as NT or NWT; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest) is a federal provinces and territories of Canada, territory of Canada. At a land area of approximately and a 2016 census population of 41,790, it ...
. Portions of Rupert's Land
Rupert's Land (french: Terre de Rupert), or Prince Rupert's Land, was a territory in British North America comprising the Hudson Bay drainage basin, a territory in which a commercial monopoly was operated by the Hudson's Bay Company for 200 ...
were added to the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, extending those provinces northward from their previous narrow band around the St. Lawrence and lower Great Lakes. The District of Ungava
The District of Ungava was a regional administrative district of Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean, ...
was a regional administrative district of Canada's Northwest Territories from 1895 to 1912. The continental areas of said district were transferred by the Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada (french: Parlement du Canada) is the Canadian federalism, federal legislature of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and is composed of three parts: the Monarch, the Senate of Canada, Senate, and the House of Co ...
with the adoption of the ''Quebec Boundary Extension Act, 1898'' and the ''Quebec Boundaries Extension Act, 1912''. The status of the interior of Labrador that was believed part of Ungava was settled in 1927 by the British Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, which ruled in favour of the Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a country in eastern North America, today the modern Canadian Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was established on 26 September 1907, and confirmed by the Balfour Decl ...
. The offshore islands to the west and north of Quebec remained part of the Northwest Territories until the creation of Nunavut in 1999.
Since the 1970s, the federal government has been transferring its decision-making powers to territorial governments. This means greater local control and accountability by northerners for decisions central to the future of the territories. In 1999, the federal government created Nunavut
Nunavut ( ) ( iu, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) is the newest, largest, and northernmost territory of Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories exten ...
pursuant to a land claim agreement reached with Inuit, the indigenous people of Canada’s Eastern Arctic. Since that time, the federal government has slowly devolved legislative jurisdiction to the territories. Enabling the territories to become more self-sufficient and prosperous and to play a stronger role in the Canadian federation is considered a key component to development in Canada’s North. Among the three territories, devolution is most advanced in Yukon.
On June 18, 2021, the Labrador
, nickname = "The Big Land"
, etymology =
, subdivision_type = Country
, subdivision_name = Canada
, subdivision_type1 = Province
A province is almos ...
Inuit
Inuit (; iu, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, , dual: Inuuk, ) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples, also referred to as First people, Aboriginal people, Native people, or autochthonous people, ...
self-government Nunatsiavut
Nunatsiavut (; iu, italics=no, ᓄᓇᑦᓯᐊᕗᑦ) is an autonomous area claimed by the Inuit
Inuit (; iu, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, , dual: Inuuk, ) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples
Indigenous ...
stated that it had begun the process of seeking devolution of child protection services from the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Children, Seniors, and Social Development with the goal for negotiations to conclude within three years.
Northwest Territories
TheNorthwest Territories
The Northwest Territories (commonly abbreviated as NT or NWT; french: Territoires du Nord-Ouest) is a federal provinces and territories of Canada, territory of Canada. At a land area of approximately and a 2016 census population of 41,790, it ...
(NWT) was governed from Ottawa
Ottawa (, ; Canadian French, Canadian ) is the capital city of Canada. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the Eastern Ontario, eastern portion of southern Ontario. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of ...
from 1870 until the 1970s, except for the brief period between 1898 and 1905 when it was governed by an elected assembly. The Carrothers Commission
The Carrothers Commission, formally The Advisory Commission on the Development of Government in the Northwest Territories, was a commission set up by the government of Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Pro ...
was established in April 1963 by the government of to examine the development of government in the NWT. It conducted surveys of opinion in the NWT in 1965 and 1966 and reported in 1966. Major recommendations included that the seat of government should be located in the territory. 
Yellowknife
Yellowknife (; Dogrib language, Dogrib: ) is the capital, largest community, and only city in the Northwest Territories, Canada. It is on the northern shore of Great Slave Lake, about south of the Arctic Circle, on the west side of Yellowknife ...
was selected as the territorial capital as a result. Transfer of many responsibilities from the federal government was recommended and carried out. This included responsibility for education, small business, public works, social services and local government. Since the report, the government of Northwest Territories has taken over responsibilities for several other programs and services including the delivery of health care, social services, education, administration of airports, and forestry management. The legislative jurisdiction of the territorial legislature is set out in section 16 of the ''Northwest Territories Act''.
Now, the government of Canada is negotiating the transfer of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development's remaining provincial-type responsibilities in the NWT. These include the legislative powers, programs and responsibilities for land and resources associated with the department's Northern Affairs Program (NAP) with respect to:
* Powers to develop, conserve, manage, and regulate of surface and subsurface natural resources in the NWT for mining and minerals (including oil and gas) administration, water management, land management and environmental management;
* Powers to control and administer public land with the right to use, sell or otherwise dispose of such land; and
* Powers to levy and collect resource royalties and other revenues from natural resources.
The Government of the Northwest Territories, the Aboriginal Summit and the Government of Canada have each appointed a Chief Negotiator to work on devolution. A Framework Agreement was concluded in 2004. The target date for the completion of devolution talks for the NWT was March 2007. However, stumbling blocks associated with the transfer of current federal employees to the territorial government, and the unresolved issue of how much money the Northwest Territories will receive for its resources has delayed the conclusion of a devolution agreement for the NWT.
Nunavut
In 1966, the federal government established the Carruthers Commission to look at the issue of government in the north. After extensive study and consultation, the Commission concluded that division of the NWT was probably both advisable and inevitable. There was a recognition that Northerners wanted to run their own affairs and must be given the opportunity to do so. At the same time, however, it noted that governmental reform was required before this could happen. It recommended the establishment of a new system of representative government. As a result, in the late 1960s and 1970s, the federal government gradually created electoral constituencies and transferred many federally run programs to the territorial government. Northerners took on more and more responsibility for the day-to-day running of their own affairs. In 1982 aplebiscite
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct and universal vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can have nationwide or local forms. This may result in the adoption of a ...
was held in the NWT asking the question, "Do you think the NWT should be divided?" Fifty-three percent of eligible voters participated in the plebiscite, with 56.4 percent of them voting "yes". Voter turnout and support for division was particularly strong in the Eastern Arctic. The Inuit population of the eastern section of the territory had become increasingly receptive of the idea of self-government. It was viewed as the best way to promote and protect their culture and traditions and address their unique regional concerns.
Both the NWT Legislative Assembly and the federal government accepted the idea of dividing the territory. The idea was viewed as an important step towards enabling the Inuit
Inuit (; iu, ᐃᓄᐃᑦ 'the people', singular: Inuk, , dual: Inuuk, ) are a group of culturally similar indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples, also referred to as First people, Aboriginal people, Native people, or autochthonous people, ...
, and other residents of the Eastern Arctic, to take charge of their own destiny. There were some reservations, however. Before action could be taken, certain practical considerations had to be addressed. First of all, outstanding land claims had to be settled. Second, all parties had to agree on a new boundary. Finally, all parties had to agree on the division of powers between territorial, regional and local levels of government. The various governments and native groups worked closely together to realize these goals. The ''Nunavut Land Claims AgreementThe Nunavut Land Claim Agreement (french: L'Accord sur les revendications territoriales du Nunavut) was signed on May 25, 1993, in Iqaluit, by representatives of the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (now Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated), the Governm ...
'' was ratified by the Inuit in November 1992, signed by the Prime Minister of Canada on May 25, 1993, and passed by the Canadian Parliament in June of the same year. It was the largest native land claim settlement in Canadian history. It gave the Inuit title over 350,000 square kilometres of land. It also gave the Inuit capital transfers from the federal government of over $1.1 billion over the next 14 years. This money will be held in trust with the interest to be used in a variety of different projects, including financing for regional businesses and scholarships for students. The Inuit also gained a share of resource royalties, hunting rights and a greater role in managing the land and protecting the environment. The land claims agreement also committed the Government of Canada to recommend to Parliament legislation to create a new territory in the eastern part of the Northwest Territories.
While negotiations on a land claims settlement progressed, work was also taking place to determine potential jurisdictional boundaries for a new Eastern Territory. A proposal was presented to all NWT voters in a May 1992 plebiscite. Of those voting, 54 percent supported the proposed boundary. The Government of the Northwest Territories, the Tungavik Federation of Nunavut (the Inuit claims organization) and the federal government formally adopted the boundary for division in the Nunavut Political Accord. The final piece of the equation fit into place on June 10, 1993, when the ''Nunavut Act'' received Royal Assent. It officially established the territory of Nunavut and provided a legal framework for its government. It fixed April 1, 1999, as the day on which the new territory would come into existence.
The government of Nunavut
Nunavut ( ) ( iu, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) is the newest, largest, and northernmost territory of Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories exten ...
is currently negotiating with the government of Canada on a devolution agreement. Nunavut Tunngavik
Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI; Inuktitut: Nunavut Tunngavik; Inuktitut syllabics, Syllabics: ᓄᓇᕗᑦ ᑐᙵᕕᒃ) is the legal representative of the Inuit of Nunavut for the purposes of native treaty rights and treaty negotiation. The p ...
, the organization of Inuit of Nunavut, is also a participant to negotiations to ensure that Inuit interests are represented.
Devolution over natural resources to the government of Nunavut
Nunavut ( ) ( iu, ᓄᓇᕗᑦ) is the newest, largest, and northernmost territory of Canada
Canada is a country in the northern part of North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories exten ...
moved forward with the appointment of a Ministerial Representative for Nunavut Devolution. The Representative has held meetings with interested parties including the Boards established under the Nunavut Land Claims AgreementThe Nunavut Land Claim Agreement (french: L'Accord sur les revendications territoriales du Nunavut) was signed on May 25, 1993, in Iqaluit, by representatives of the Tunngavik Federation of Nunavut (now Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated), the Governm ...
(NLCA), territorial and federal government departments in order to determine if devolution will occur and if so the future mandate of devolution. The government of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik have appointed negotiators.
Yukon
In 1896 prospectors discovered gold inYukon
Yukon ( ; ; formerly called Yukon Territory and sometimes referred to as The Yukon) is the smallest and westernmost of Provinces and territories of Canada, Canada's three territories. It also is the least populated province or territory in Cana ...
. There ensued what is often considered the world's greatest gold rush
cut the travel time from New York to San Francisco in seven months to four months in the 1849 California Gold Rush, Gold Rush.
A gold rush or gold fever is a discovery of gold—sometimes accompanied by other precious metals and rare-earth miner ...
, which saw the population of Yukon grow rapidly. Indeed, by 1898, Dawson grew into the largest Canadian city west of Winnipeg
Winnipeg () is the capital and largest city of the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is centred on the confluence
In geography, a confluence (also: ''conflux'') occurs where two or more flowing bodies of water join together to form a sin ...
, with a population of 40,000. In response, the Canadian government officially established the Yukon Territory in 1898. The North-West Mounted Police
The North-West Mounted Police (NWMP) was a Canadian armed police force, established in 1873, to maintain order in the new Canadian North-West Territories following the 1870 transfer of Rupert’s Land and North-Western Territory to Canada fr ...
were sent in to ensure Canadian jurisdiction and the ''Yukon Act'' provided for a commissioner to administer the territory. The 1898 statute granted the Commissioner in Council "the same powers to make ordinances... as are possessed by the Lieutenant Governor of the North-west Territories, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly thereof". In 1908 amendments to the ''Yukon Act'' transformed the Council into an elected body.
Over time the territorial government exercised expanded functions. Relevant developments include the following:
* By the mid-1960s, schools, public works, welfare, and various other matters of a local nature had come under territorial administration.
* Increased authority of elected Council members over the ensuing period contributed to significant changes in the Yukon Commissioner's role. In 1979, instructions from the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development
Minister may refer to:
* Minister (Christianity)Image:LutheranClergy.JPG, upA Lutheran minister wearing a Geneva gown and Bands (neckwear), bands. In many churches, ministers wear distinctive clothing, called vestments, when presiding over service ...
(Minister) directed the Commissioner to allow elected members and the Executive Council to make important policy decisions, specifying that his/her actions should normally be based on the advice and taken with the consent of the elected Executive Council.
* As in the Northwest Territories, federal responsibilities were transferred to the Yukon government in the 1980s. In 1988 the Minister and the Yukon Government Leader signed a Memorandum of Understanding
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a type of agreement between two (bilateralism, bilateral) or more (multilateralism, multilateral) parties. It expresses a convergence of will between the parties, indicating an intended common line of action ...
committing the parties to smooth the progress of devolution of remaining province-like responsibilities to the Yukon Government. Responsibilities transferred since then include fisheries, mine safety, intra-territorial roads, hospitals and community-health care, oil-and-gas and, most recently, natural resources.
* Discussion to transfer land- and resource-management responsibilities to the Yukon Government
{{Infobox legislature
, name = Legislature of Yukon
, legislature = 34th Yukon Legislative Assembly
, house_type = Unicameral
, houses = Yukon Territorial Council, Territorial Council (1898-1978)
Yuko ...
began in 1996, followed by a formal federal devolution proposal to the Yukon Government in January 1997. In September 1998 a Devolution Protocol Accord to guide devolution negotiations was signed. On August 28, 2001 a final draft of the Devolution Transfer Agreement was completed for consideration. The Yukon Devolution transfer Agreement was concluded on October 29, 2001, with the Government of Canada enabling the transfer of remaining province-like responsibilities for land, water and resource management to the Government of Yukon on April 1, 2003.
Yuko ...
Mexico
The Federal District
All constituentstates of Mexico
The states of Mexico are first-level administrative territorial entities of the country of Mexico, which officially is named United Mexican States
Mexico ( es, México ; Nahuan languages: ), officially the United Mexican States (; EUM ), ...
are fully autonomous and comprise a federation. The Federal District, originally integrated by Mexico City
)
, blank1_name_sec1 = Human Development Index, HDI
, blank1_info_sec1 = 0.897 Very High
, blank_name_sec2 = GDP (Nominal)
, blank_info_sec2 = USD, $266 billion
, footnotes = b. Area of ...
and other municipalities, was created in 1824 to be the capital of the federation. As such, it was governed directly by the central or federal government and the president of Mexico
The president of Mexico ( es, link=no, Presidente de México), officially the president of the United Mexican States ( es, link=no, Presidente de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), is the head of state
A head of state (or chief of state) is t ...
appointed its governor or executive regent. Even though the municipalities within the Federal District were autonomous, their powers were limited. In 1928, these municipalities were abolished and transformed into non-autonomous '''' or boroughs and a "Central Department", later renamed as Mexico City. In 1970 this department was split into four new ''delegaciones'', and Mexico City was constitutionally defined to be synonymous and coterminous with the entire Federal District. (As such, the boroughs of the Federal District are boroughs of Mexico City).
In the 1980s, the citizens of the Federal District, being the most populated federal entity in Mexico, began to demand home rule: a devolution of autonomy in order to directly elect their head of government and to set up a Legislative Assembly. In 1987, an Assembly of Representatives was created, by constitutional decree, whose members were elected by popular vote. The devolution of the executive power was not granted until 1997 when the first 
head of government
The head of government is either the highest or second highest official in the executive branch of a sovereign state, a federated state, or a self-governing colony, autonomous region, or other government who often presides over a cabinet (gover ...
was elected by popular vote. Finally, in 2000, power was devolved to the ''delegaciones'', though limited: residents can now elect their own "heads of borough government" (''jefes delegacionales'', in Spanish), but the ''delegaciones'' do not have regulatory powers and are not constituted by a board of trustees, like the .
The autonomy, or home rule, of the Federal District, was granted by the federal government, which in principle has the right to remove it. The president of Mexico still holds the final word in some decisions (e.g. he must approve some posts), and the 
Congress of the Union
The Congress of the Union ( es, Congreso de la Unión), formally known as the General Congress of the United Mexican States (''Congreso General de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos''), is the legislature of the federal government of Mexico consist ...
reviews the budget of the Federal District and sets the limit to its debt.
Some left-wing groups and political parties have advocated, since the 1980s, for a full devolution of powers by transforming the Federal District into the thirty-second constituent state of the Federation (with the proposed name of "State of the Valley of Mexico", to be distinguished from the state of México; another proposed name is "State of the Anahuac").
Indigenous peoples
In a recent amendment to theConstitution of Mexico
The Constitution of Mexico, formally the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States ( es, Constitución Política de los Estados Unidos Mexicanos), is the current constitution
A constitution is an aggregate of fundamental princip ...
, the country was defined as a "pluricultural nation" founded upon the "indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples, also referred to as First people, Aboriginal people, Native people, or autochthonous people, are culturally distinct ethnic groups who are native to a particular place. The term ''indigenous'' was first, in its modern contex ...
". They are granted "free-determination" to choose the social, economic, cultural and political organization for which they are to elect representatives democratically in whatever manner they see fit, traditionally or otherwise, as long as women have the same opportunities to participate in their social and political life. There are, however, no prescribed limits to their territories, and they are still under the jurisdiction of the municipalities and states in which they are located; the indigenous peoples can elect representatives before the municipal councils. In practice, they are allowed to have an autonomous form of self-government, but they are still subject to the rights and responsibilities set forth by the federal constitution and the constitution of the states in which they are located.
France
In the late 1980s a process ofdecentralisation
Decentralization or decentralisation is the process by which the activities of an organization, particularly those regarding planning and decision making, are distributed or delegated away from a central, authoritative location or group.
Concep ...
was undertaken by the French government
The Government of the French Republic (french: Gouvernement de la République française ) exercises executive power
''Executive Power'' is Vince Flynn's fifth novel, and the fourth to feature Mitch Rapp, an American agent that works for t ...
. Initially regions were created and elected regional assemblies set up. Together with the departmental councils these bodies have responsibility for infrastructure spending and maintenance (schools and highways) and certain social spending. They collect revenues through property taxes and various other taxes. In addition a large part of spending is provided by direct grants to such authorities.
There also are groups calling for devolution or full independence for Occitania
Occitania ( oc, Occitània, , or ) is the historical region in southern Europe
Southern Europe is the southern subregion of Europe
Europe is a continent
A continent is one of several large landmasses. Generally identified by ...
, the Basque Country
Image:Euskal Herriaren terminologia.png, Map showing the geographical and political divisions of the Basque Country
Basque Country may refer to:
*Basque Country (autonomous community) (''Euskal Autonomia Erkidegoa'' in Basque; ''Comunidad Autónoma ...
, Corsica
Corsica (, Upper , Southern , ; french: link=no, Corse ; lij, link=no, Còrsega) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southea ...
, Alsace
Alsace (, also ; Low Alemannic German/ gsw-als, 's Elsàss ; german: Elsass ; la, Alsatia; ) is a cultural region and a territorial collectivity in Eastern France, on the west bank of the upper Rhine next to Germany and Switzerland. In 2017, i ...
, and Brittany
Brittany (; french: link=no, Bretagne ; br, Breizh, or ; Gallo language, Gallo: ''Bertaèyn'' ) is a peninsula, historical region, historical country, and cultural area in the west of modern France, covering the western part of what was know ...
.
Spain
TheSpanish Constitution
The Spanish Constitution (Spanish
Spanish may refer to:
* Items from or related to Spain
,
* gl, Reino de España,
* oc, Reiaume d'Espanha,
,
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg ...
of 1978 granted autonomy
The federal subject
The federal subjects of Russia, also referred to as the subjects of the Russian Federation (russian: субъекты Российской Федерации, subyekty Rossiyskoy Federatsii) or simply as the subjects o ...
to the ''nationalities'' and regions of which the Kingdom of Spain
,
* gl, Reino de España,
* oc, Reiaume d'Espanha,
,
, image_flag = Bandera de España.svg
, image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg
, national_motto =
, national_anthem =
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, image_ ...
is composed. (See also ''autonomous communities
In Spain, an autonomous community ( es, comunidad autónoma) is a first-level political divisions of Spain, political and administrative division, created in accordance with the Spanish Constitution of 1978, Spanish constitution of 1978, with the ...
and cities of Spain
File:Vue Panoramique de Grenade.JPG, upGranada
This is a list of lists of the municipalities of Spain. The municipalities list links are listed below, by autonomous community of Spain, autonomous community and province ...
'')
Under the "system of autonomies" ( es, Estado de las Autonomías), Spain has been quoted to be "remarkable for the extent of the powers peacefully devolved over the past 30 years" and "an extraordinarily decentralised country", with the central government accounting for just 18% of public spending; the regional governments 38%, the local councils 13% and the social-security system the rest.
In 2010 the Constitutional Court had ruled that non-binding referendums could be held and subsequently several municipalities held such referendums.
On December 12, 2013 the Catalan Government
The ''Generalitat de Catalunya'' (; in Aranese: ''Generalitat de Catalonha''; in Spanish: ''Generalidad de Cataluña''), or Government of Catalonia, is the institutional system by which Catalonia
Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese, Arane ...
announced that a referendum
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct
DIRECT was a late-2000s proposed alternative super heavy lift launch vehicle
A super heavy-lift launch vehicle (SHLLV) is a launch vehicle capable of lifting more than ...
would be held on self-determination. The central government of Spain considers that a binding referendum is unconstitutional and cannot be held. On October 1, 2017 the regional government held a referendum despite having been declared illegal by the Spanish courts. Subsequently, several leaders were arrested and imprisoned on charges of "sedition" and "rebellion". The regional president fled to Brussels, but has so far escaped extradition as those offenses are not part of Belgian law or the European Arrest Warrant. On December 21, 2017 fresh elections were held in which pro-independence parties held a slim majority and a broad coalition of constitutionalist parties expressed disappointment and concern for the future.
United Kingdom
In theUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain,Usage is mixed. The Guardian' and Telegraph' use Britain as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Some prefer to use Britain as shortha ...
, devolved government was created for Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland ( ga, Tuaisceart Éireann ; sco, label= Ulster-Scots, Norlin Airlann) is a part of the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain,Usa ...
in 1921 by the Government of Ireland Act 1920
The Government of Ireland Act 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5 c. 67) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the supreme legislative body
A legislature is a deliberative assembly with the au ...
, for Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is Countries of the United Kingdom, part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, and the Bristol Channel to the south. It ...
and Scotland
Scotland ( sco, Scotland, gd, Alba ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96-mile (154 km) Anglo-Scottish bo ...
in September 1997 following simple majority referenda
A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a Direct democracy, direct and Universal suffrage, universal vote in which an entire Constituency, electorate is invited to vote on a particular proposal and can have nationwide or El ...
, and in London
London is the capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom. The city stands on the River Thames in the south-east of England, at the head of its estuary leading to the Nor ...
in May 1998. Between 1998 and 1999, the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament ( gd, Pàrlamaid na h-Alba ; Scots language, Scots: ''Scots Pairlament'') is the Devolution in the United Kingdom, devolved, Unicameralism, unicameral legislature of Scotland. Located in the Holyrood, Edinburgh, Holyroo ...
, National Assembly for Wales
The Senedd (; ), officially known as the Welsh Parliament in English language, English and () in Welsh language, Welsh, is the Devolution in the United Kingdom, devolved, unicameral legislature of Wales. A democratically elected body, it makes ...
(now known as the Senedd
Senedd (/ˈsɛnɛð/), a Welsh cognate of "senate", may refer to:
* Senedd Cymru – the Welsh Parliament, the devolved legislature of Wales
* Senedd building, the building which houses the Senedd Cymru – Welsh Parliament
{{Disambiguation ...
), Northern Ireland Assembly
The Northern Ireland Assembly ( ga, Tionól Thuaisceart Éireann; Ulster Scots dialects, Ulster Scots: ''Norlin Airlan Assemblie'') often referred to by the metonym Stormont, is the devolution, devolved legislature of Northern Ireland. It has ...
and London Assembly
The London Assembly is a 25-member elected body, part of the Greater London Authority
The Greater London Authority (GLA), known colloquially as City Hall, is the devolved regional governance body of London
London is the capital city, c ...
were established by law. The Campaign for an English Parliament
The Campaign for an English Parliament (CEP) is a pressure group which seeks the establishment of a devolved English parliament. The CEP is the main organisation associated with an English Parliament. It was formed as a non-denominational lobbyi ...
, which supports English devolution
In the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain,Usage is mixed. The Guardian' and Telegraph' use Britain as a synonym for the United Kingdom. Some pref ...
(i.e. the establishment of a separate English parliament or assembly) was formed in 1998.
A referendum was held in Scotland on 18 September 2014 which asked citizens whether Scotland should be an independent country. By a margin of approximately 55 percent to 45 percent, people living in Scotland rejected the proposal. The leaders of the three largest British political parties pledged on 16 September 2014 a new devolution settlement for Scotland in the event of a No vote, promising to deliver "faster, safer and better change", and as a result of this vote and promises made during the referendum campaign, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced plans to devolve additional powers to the Scottish government, the nature of which would be determined by the Smith Commission
The Smith Commission was announced by Prime Minister David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron (born 9 October 1966) is a British politician, businessman, lobbyist and author who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 t ...
. These powers were subsequently transferred in the Scotland Act 2016
The Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom is the Parliamentary sovereignty in the United Kingdom, supreme Legislature, legislative body of the United Kingdom, the Cro ...
. Following the outcome of the Brexit
Brexit (; a portmanteau
A portmanteau (, ) or portmanteau word (from "portmanteau (luggage)
A portmanteau is a piece of luggage, usually made of leather and opening into two equal parts. Some were large, upright, and hinged at the back and ...
vote on 23 June 2016, calls for further devolution have been raised, including differential membership of the European single market
The European Single Market, Internal Market or Common Market is a single market comprising the 27 member states
A member state is a state that is a member of an international organization
''International Organization'' is a quarterly peer- ...
for the devolved areas of the United Kingdom.
United States
In the United States only the federal government and state governments are sovereign. Legal relationships with Native American
Native Americans may refer to:
Ethnic groups
* Indigenous peoples of the Americas, the pre-Columbian peoples of North and South America and their descendants
* Native Americans in the United States
* Indigenous peoples in Canada, the indigenous p ...
tribes and their government structures are the jurisdiction of the federal government. Territories are under the direct jurisdiction of Congress. Territorial governments are thus devolved by acts of Congress. Political subdivisions of a state, such as a county or municipality, are a type of devolved government and are defined by individual state constitutions and laws.
District of Columbia
In the United States, theDistrict of Columbia
)
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, image_caption = Clockwise from top left: the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall, United States Capitol, Washington Metro, National Air and Space Museum, Air and Space ...
offers an illustration of devolved government. The District is separate from any state, and has its own elected government. In many ways, on a day-to-day basis, it operates much like another state, with its own laws, court system, Department of Motor Vehicles, public university, and so on. However, the governments of the 50 states reserved a broad range of powers in the U.S. Constitution
The Constitution of the United States is the Supremacy Clause, supreme law of the United States, United States of America. This founding document, originally comprising seven articles, delineates the national frame of government. Its first t ...
, and most of their laws cannot be voided by any act of U.S. federal government. The District of Columbia, by contrast, is constitutionally under the sole control of the United States Congress
The United States Congress is the legislature
A legislature is an deliberative assembly, assembly with the authority to make laws for a Polity, political entity such as a Sovereign state, country or city. They are often contrasted with ...
, which created the current District government by statute. Any law passed by the District legislature can be nullified by congressional action, and indeed the District government could be significantly altered or eliminated entirely by a simple majority vote in Congress.
List of unitary states with devolution
See also
* * * * * * * * * * * *Notes
External links
Economic and Social Research Council Devolution and Constitutional Change research programme
{{Autonomous types of first-tier administration Federalism