Devolution

Devolution is the transfer of political powers from a central government to regional or local institutions. The central government retains ultimate legal sovereignty, distinguishing devolution from federalism.

Devolved government: A regional or local government exercising powers transferred from a central government. It is the institution through which devolved powers are exercised.
Scottish devolution: The transfer of legislative and executive powers to Scotland's institutions within the United Kingdom. Scotland's settlement is one of the United Kingdom's most extensive devolution arrangements.
Federalism: A constitutional system that divides governing authority between a central government and constituent units. Unlike devolution, federalism constitutionally protects regional powers from unilateral central withdrawal.
Territorial politics: Political competition and cooperation organized around regions and territorial identities. Devolved institutions give territorial interests new arenas and leverage.
Reserved powers: Powers that remain under the authority of a central government rather than being transferred to regional institutions. They mark the boundary between central authority and devolved responsibilities.
Welsh devolution: The transfer of legislative and executive powers to Wales's institutions within the United Kingdom. Wales gained devolved institutions later, and its powers expanded in stages.
Decentralization: The redistribution of authority, responsibilities, or resources away from a central organization. It is broader than political devolution and can include administrative delegation.
Multilevel governance: A system in which public authority is shared across local, regional, national, and sometimes supranational levels. Devolution adds regional institutions to the layers involved in governing.
Asymmetric federalism: A federal arrangement in which different constituent units have different powers or constitutional status. It resembles uneven devolution but places authority within a federal constitutional system.
Northern Ireland devolution: The system of devolved government established in Northern Ireland under the Belfast Agreement. Its power-sharing institutions connect devolution to the peace settlement.

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