Devolution Analysis Essay Example

and transportation. Despite attempts by many states to adopt this form of government, they have not been successful. One common issue faced by metropolitan regions is fragmented or nonexistent regional leadership. Other problems include social divisions within regions, differences in institutional or structural arrangements, political processes that create divisions, and how resources are distributed and managed (Mark O.).

According to et al, p 53, regions with resources will demand greater autonomy in order to benefit from them, while regions without these resources will insist on centralization for equal distribution. Therefore, resources can be viewed as both a blessing and a curse when it comes to regional devolution. Regional governance functions better in areas with diverse populations compared to those dominated by one or a few groups. In situations where there are multiple groups, conflicts between the central government and regional units are less likely. However, when there is one dominant group, the likelihood of them relinquishing power to smaller ones is very low. Failed attempts at this form of government can be seen in states such as Czechoslovakia, Malaysia, and Yugoslavia. Federalism is also more effective when factors such as region, language, religion, and social classes do not overlap or cross-cut.

This is because people will once again feel united and connected under this form of government, which works well when there are no external influences. However, if targeted external pressures are faced by a certain group, it can hinder the government's efforts to achieve stability.