Devolutionary pressure refers to forces that weaken or challenge the unity and stability of a country or region, potentially leading to decentralization or even secession movements. These pressures can arise from various sources such as ethnic tensions, political conflicts, or socio-economic disparities.
Related terms
Ethnic Conflict: Ethnic conflict refers to clashes between different ethnic groups within a society that arise from differences in culture, language, religion, or historical grievances. It can be one source of devolutionary pressure.
Regionalism: Regionalism is a political or cultural movement that emphasizes the interests and identity of a particular region within a larger country. It can contribute to devolutionary pressure as regions seek greater autonomy or independence.
Secession: Secession refers to the act of withdrawing from an existing political entity, such as a country or state, to form a separate independent entity. Devolutionary pressure can sometimes lead to secession movements when regions feel marginalized or oppressed by the central government.