Devolutionary pressures refer to the forces that push for the decentralization of power and the transfer of authority from a central government to regional or local governments within a country. These pressures arise due to factors such as cultural, ethnic, linguistic, or economic differences.
Related terms
Regionalism: Regionalism refers to strong feelings of identity and loyalty towards a particular region within a country. It can lead to demands for greater autonomy or even separation.
Decentralization: Decentralization is the dispersal of power or decision-making authority from a central entity to lower-level units or regions within a country. It aims to promote local governance and responsiveness.
Ethnic Nationalism: Ethnic nationalism involves the belief in an ethnic group's right to self-determination, often leading to demands for greater autonomy or independence based on shared culture, language, history, or religion.