Defining DEVOLUTIONARY Factors [AP Human Geography Review—Unit 4 Topic 8]

Summary

In this video, the concept of devolution in political geography is explored, where power is transferred from a central government to regional governments. The script covers seven major factors that can trigger devolution: physical geography, ethnic separatism, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, economic problems, social issues, and irredentism. Through examples like the Basque people in Spain, Sudan, Northern Ireland, Catalonia, and Crimea, the video demonstrates how devolution can reshape political landscapes, responding to tensions and divisions within states.

Takeaways

• 😀 Devolution refers to the transfer of power from a central government to regional governments within the same state, making the central government weaker and regional units stronger.
• 😀 Devolution can be triggered by various factors, including geographic barriers, ethnic tensions, economic inequality, and social issues.
• 😀 The friction of distance, where greater physical distance weakens connections, can trigger devolutionary pressures, such as the Basque people in northern Spain seeking autonomy due to their isolation by physical geography.
• 😀 Ethnic separatism can lead to devolution when ethnic groups identify more strongly with their own people than with the state, as seen with the division of Sudan into North and South Sudan.
• 😀 Ethnic cleansing, like the genocide in Yugoslavia, can escalate devolutionary processes as states break apart due to ethnic conflict, resulting in new independent states.
• 😀 Terrorism, such as the Irish Republican Army’s violent acts in Northern Ireland, can create devolutionary pressures, leading governments to transfer more power to regions like Northern Ireland.
• 😀 Economic problems, such as uneven development, can fuel calls for devolution. For example, Catalonia in Spain sought independence due to its wealth from tourism and self-sufficiency.
• 😀 Social divisions based on language, culture, or religion, like those in Belgium between the Flemish-speaking North and French-speaking South, can lead to devolutionary pressures, though Belgium remains intact for now.
• 😀 Irredentism refers to movements of culturally unified groups divided by borders seeking to reunite, such as Russia’s annexation of Crimea, which put devolutionary pressure on Ukraine.
• 😀 The devolutionary process can be initiated through constitutional changes, new parliaments, or shifting political realities, with examples like the Spanish Constitution of 1978 granting autonomy to the Basque region.

Q & A

What is devolution in political geography?

Devolution refers to the transfer of power from a central government to regional governments within the same state, making the central government weaker and the regional governments stronger.

What are the factors that can trigger devolutionary processes?

The seven major factors that can trigger devolution are: 1) Division by physical geography, 2) Ethnic separatism, 3) Ethnic cleansing, 4) Terrorism, 5) Economic problems, 6) Social problems, and 7) Irredentism.

How does the division of groups by physical geography contribute to devolution?

When groups are divided by physical barriers like mountains, bodies of water, or great distances from the central government, it can create challenges for national unity, weakening the central government's ability to exert power uniformly. This can lead to demands for devolution, as seen in the Basque Country in Northern Spain.

Can you give an example of devolution caused by ethnic separatism?

An example of ethnic separatism leading to devolution is the case of Sudan, where tensions between the northern and southern ethnic groups resulted in two civil wars, ultimately leading to the creation of South Sudan as an independent state.

What is ethnic cleansing, and how does it lead to devolution?

Ethnic cleansing refers to the attempt by a state to eliminate a particular ethnic group through violence or other means. In the case of Yugoslavia, ethnic tensions and a campaign of genocide led to the breakup of the state and the creation of several new countries, such as Bosnia and Herzegovina.

How does terrorism contribute to devolution?

Terrorism, especially in the form of violent acts aimed at creating political change, can lead to devolution. In Northern Ireland, groups like the Irish Republican Army used violence in their pursuit of independence, eventually leading to more political power being transferred to Northern Ireland by the United Kingdom.

How do economic problems drive devolutionary movements?

Economic issues, particularly uneven development, can lead to devolutionary movements. For example, Catalonia in Spain generates significant wealth through tourism and has used this economic power to push for independence. In response, Spain has transferred more political power to Catalonia to prevent secession.

What role do social problems play in devolution?

Social problems, especially when there are cultural, linguistic, or religious divides within a state, can create devolutionary pressures. Belgium, for example, is divided between Flemish-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia, and this has led to calls for separate states, though Belgium remains unified for now.

What is irredentism, and how does it relate to devolution?

Irredentism is the movement of culturally unified people divided by borders, aiming to reunite their divided parts. An example is Russia's 2014 invasion of Crimea, where ethnic Russians in Crimea were used as justification for Russia's annexation of the territory, creating devolutionary pressure on Ukraine.

How did Spain handle devolutionary pressures from regions like Catalonia and the Basque Country?

Spain responded to devolutionary pressures from regions like Catalonia and the Basque Country by granting more autonomy to these regions, such as recognizing the Basque Country as an autonomous region in 1978, to prevent secession and maintain national unity.