4.

8 Devolution Case Studies

4.8 Define factors that lead to the devolution of states.

● Factors that can lead to the devolution of states include the division of groups by physical geography,
ethnic separatism, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, economic and social problems, and irredentism.

Introduction: Devolution is the transfer of some powers, and the delegation of some functions, from a central
sovereign government to regional or local governments. Devolution occurs when States fragment into
autonomous or semi autonomous regions or subnational political-territorial units. Devolutionary forces
include:
● Cultural diversity: a sub-group (nation) that has identity (langanguage,religion, shared history, etc.)
wants to have some control sometimes called Subnationalism or Regionalism.
● Regional Economic Differences: a different region might have different economic goals; rich regions
have more say.
● Physical Geography and Territorial size: Mts., islands, fragments might get more control because of
distance.
● Technological changes: Advances in communication technology, along with state controlled media
can lead to devolution.

Directions: Analyze the graphics/maps, and read through the information/case studies below to explain the
devolutionary forces at work within the selected States.

State: Spain; Regions: Catalonia, Galacia, and Basque Country

In Spain, which is a parliamentary monarchy, the king
and the elected president share the power. Although
there is a national parliament, Spain is one of the
most decentralized democracies in Europe. Each of
its 17 regions manages its own schools, hospitals,
and other public services.

Basque Country:Basque culture greatly suffered

during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. Francisco
Franco and his fascist party wanted to rid Spain of all
heterogeneity, and the Basque people were
specifically targeted. Franco banned the speaking of
Basque, and the Basques lost all political autonomy
and economic rights. Many Basques were
imprisoned or killed. When Franco died in 1975, the
Basques received much of their autonomy again, but
this did not satisfy all Basques.

In 1959, ETA, or Euskadi Ta Askatasuna, Basque

Homeland and Liberty was founded. ETA has
conducted terrorist activities to try to break away
from Spain and France and become an independent
nation-state. Over 800 people, including police
officers, government leaders, and civilians have been
killed by assassinations and bombings. Thousands
more have been injured, kidnapped, or robbed.
 The Basque Country is heavily industrialized and
energy production is particularly important. Politically,
the Basques in Spain have a great deal of autonomy.
While they are not independent, the Basques control
their own police force, industry, agriculture, taxation,
and media.

Catalonia: Catalonia is a semi-autonomous region

in north-east Spain with a distinct history dating back
almost 1,000 years. The wealthy region has about
7.5 million people, with their own language,
parliament, flag and anthem. Catalonia also has its
own police force and controls some of its public
services. Catalan nationalists have long complained
that their region sends too much money to poorer
parts of Spain, as taxes are controlled by Madrid.
They also say Spain's changes to their autonomous
status in 2010 undermined Catalan identity. In 2014,
80 percent of Catalan participants voted yes on an
informal independence referendum. Three years
later, 90 percent of participants voted yes in a
follow-up referendum approved by the Catalan
parliament. But Spain insisted the referendum had
not occurred, and after a violent police crackdown,
Spain’s Supreme Court ruled it illegal. Defiant,
Catalonia’s regional parliament declared
independence in October 2017; Spain then
suspended Catalonia’s political autonomy and fired
the entire Catalan cabinet.

Galicia: Galicia is another region with a unique

identity, language and separatist strain is found on
Spain's northwestern Atlantic coast. The Kingdom of
Galicia existed from the fifth century, at times
encompassing much of northwest present-day Spain
and northern Portugal, until the 15thcentury, when it
joined Spain. Galician and Portuguese are in the
same language grouping and were mutually ineligible
until that time. Given this shared history, there is a
group in Galicia that believes their land should
reunite with Portugal. Others argue it should be
independent, citing the Celtic history of Galicia.
But Galicia remains a rural, largely agrarian region
with much less industrialisation than the modern
Basque Country and Catalonia, with a lower
economic output.

Using the graphic/map and information provided above, explain how each of the following forces
lead to devolutionary pressure within Spain.
 ● Cultural diversity:

● Regional Economic differences:

● Physical Geography and Territorial size:

State: Belgium; Regions: Flanders and Wallonia

The nation of Belgium is composed of two major
regions with three linguistically and culturally distinct
communities therein. The two areas are Flanders,
consisting of the Dutch speaking or Flemish community,
and Walloon or Wallonia, the home of the French
community. A small community of German-speaking
people also resides in Belgium, but they are an
autonomous community distinct from the other two
within the far eastern region of Wallonia.

After the independence of Belgium from the United

Kingdom of the Netherlands, the antagonism between
the French speakers and the Dutch speakers escalated.
French became the official language, but the Dutch
speakers protested demanding equal rights. This feud
led to the disintegration of the communities and in 1967
an official Dutch version of the Constitution was
accepted. The country created separate regions based
on the country's linguistic division leading to the
emergence of the Flanders region for the Flemish
people and the Walloon region for the Dutch-speaking
region.

The two regions differ considerably regarding language,

culture, politics, identity, and consciousness. Belgium
~Source: BBC - Belgium's devolution conundrum
has never had a national party or national media
because each of the regions prefers to have their
distinct parties and media. Walloon writes its literature
and conducts its education in French as the Flemish run
their systems and literature in Dutch. Their ways of life
also follow suite into the schism as the Flemish strictly
adhere to the Dutch culture and the Walloon's to the
French culture. Economically, there is a great difference
between the two regions. The Flanders are richer than
the Walloon. Walloon used to thrive in the earlier
centuries due to mining activities but the mines
depleted at the time that the Flanders flourished in
business.
 ~Source: World Atlas - What are Flanders and Wallonia.

Using the graphic/map and information provided above, explain how each of the following forces
lead to devolutionary pressure within Belgium.

● Cultural diversity:

● Regional Economic differences:

● Physical Geography and Territorial size:

State: Canada; Region: Nunavut and Quebec

Nunavut: Is the largest, northernmost and newest
territory of Canada, Nunavut was officially separated
from the Northwest Territories in 1999. The creation
of Nunavut resulted in the first major change to the
Canadian map since the incorporation of the
province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949.
Nunavut accounts for roughly 20 percent of Canada’s
land mass, making it the country’s largest political
subdivision. The territory is governed by a
19-member legislative assembly that operates
consensus‑style without political parties. Nunavut’s
largest employer is the government. Other important
economic sectors include mining, construction,
tourism and traditional activities such as hunting,
trapping, fishing, and arts and crafts. The Inuit
constitute more than four-fifths of Nunavut’s
population; nearly all of the rest are of European
descent. The language of the Inuit, Inuktitut,
consisting of several dialect groups, is spoken widely.
It has two writing systems: roman letters and a
syllabic system developed in the 19th century by
European missionaries. The territorial government
recognizes Inuinnaqtun, an Inuktitut dialect spoken in
western Nunavut and written in roman letters, as one
of the territory’s four main languages (Inuktitut,
English, and French are the other three).

Québec: Québec is the second-most populous

province of Canada, after Ontario. Québec’s desire
to secede is historically rooted in its ethno-cultural
tensions with its parent state. 78% of the Québec
population count French as their first language and
83% identify as Catholic, standing in contrast to
much of the rest of Canada where English language
 and Protestantism is dominant. Québec held
referendums on sovereignty in 1980 and 1995.
Although neither passed, the 1995 referendum saw
the highest voter turnout in Quebec history, at over
93%, and only failed by less than 1%

Using the graphic/map and information provided above, explain how each of the following forces
lead to devolutionary pressure within Canada.

● Cultural diversity:

● Regional Economic differences:

● Physical Geography and Territorial size:

State: Nigeria; Regions: Arewa, Oduduwa, and Niger River Delta/Biafra

Nigeria's 160 million people are divided between
numerous ethno-linguistic groups and also along
religious lines. Broadly, the Hausa-Fulani people
based in the north (Arewa) are mostly Muslims.
The Yorubas of the south-west (Oduduwa) are
divided between Muslims and Christians, while the
Igbos of the south-east (Biafra) and neighbouring
groups are mostly Christian or animist. The Middle
Belt is home to hundreds of groups with different
beliefs, and around Jos there are frequent clashes
between Hausa-speaking Muslims and Christian
members of the Berom community.

The Hausa are the largest ethnic group in Nigeria.

With estimates of their population reaching 67
million, Hausa make up approximately 25% of the
Nigerian population. The Hausa culture is
homogenized, meaning, throughout Nigeria, the
Hausa culture is extremely similar. Hausa are known
for raising cattle and other stock, growing crops and
trading. Hausa are also recognized for practicing
Islam as their main religion. Being the largest ethnic
group in Nigeria, Hausa have always been some of
the main players in Nigerian politics since Nigeria
was granted independence from Britain in 1960.
 Individuals who designate themselves as Yoruba
make up approximately 21% of the population of
Nigeria, making them the second biggest ethnic
group in the country. Yoruba are usually identified as
Christian or Muslim, although a lot of Yoruba still
uphold traditional aspects of their ancestors' religious
practices and beliefs. This ethnic group upholds
many cultural traditions, including music and culture
festivals, traditional Yoruba art, and conventional
architecture.

The Igbo people of Nigeria make up approximately

18% of the population. They have long been
opposed to Sharia law in Nigeria, with most Igbo
identifying as Christian. Igbo society, unlike the
Hausa and Yoruba, is non-hierarchical and not reliant
on a centralized society. The Igbo are an essential
part of the oil trade in Nigeria's southeastern region.
In 1967, Igbo fought with the Nigerian government to
achieve independence. This was a two and a half
year battle in which Igbo people were subjected to
brutal conditions, many starving to death during this
time. Since this war, Igbo have been reintegrated into
Nigerian society; a lot Igbo still feel marginalized by
the status quo in Nigeria.

Despite its vast resources, Nigeria ranks among the

most unequal countries in the world, according to the
UN. The poverty in the north is in stark contrast to
the more developed southern states. While in the
oil-rich south-east, the residents of Delta and Akwa
Ibom complain that all the wealth they generate flows
up the pipeline to Abuja and Lagos.

Southern residents tend to have better access to

healthcare, as reflected by the greater uptake of
vaccines for polio, tuberculosis, tetanus and
diphtheria. Some northern groups have in the past
boycotted immunisation programmes, saying they
are a Western plot to make Muslim women infertile.
This led to a recurrence of polio, but the vaccinations
have now resumed.
~Source: World Atlas

Using the graphic/map and information provided above, explain how each of the following forces
lead to devolutionary pressure within Nigeria.

● Cultural diversity:

● Regional Economic differences:

● Physical Geography and Territorial size: