Defining Devolutionary Factors

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to (per CED LO SPS-4.A):

• Define devolution as the transfer of power from a central state to subnational units, sometimes leading to full state breakup.
• Identify and define the six CED-named devolutionary factors: physical geography divisions, ethnic separatism, ethnic cleansing, terrorism, economic and social problems, and irredentism (per EK SPS-4.A.1).
• Identify a contemporary case for each of the six factors with one specific country.
• Distinguish ethnic separatism (an internal group seeking autonomy or independence) from irredentism (an external state claiming co-ethnic territory in a neighboring state).
• Apply Skill 3.E: explain what devolution-related maps and data imply about the political stability of states.

Per CED EK SPS-4.A.1, "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." This is the only EK in Topic 4.8, but it names exactly six distinct factors that drive devolution — one of the most testable single CED sentences in Unit 4.

Devolution defined

Devolution is the transfer of political power from a central state to subnational units. The transfer can be modest (granting more autonomy to a region within a unitary state, like UK to Scotland) or radical (full breakup into multiple sovereign states, like Yugoslavia in the 1990s). Topic 4.8 covers the factors that drive devolution; Topic 4.9 covers what happens when devolution challenges sovereignty; Topic 4.10 covers the consequences for the state.

Why six factors?

The six CED-named factors capture the major identity, geography, and resource pressures that pull states apart. Most actual devolution cases involve more than one factor at once: the breakup of Yugoslavia involved physical geography (Balkan mountains separating regions), ethnic separatism (Slovenes, Croats, Bosnians, Kosovars), ethnic cleansing (Bosnia, Kosovo), and economic problems (uneven development between northern and southern republics). Each factor multiplies the others.

Per CED EK SPS-4.A.1. Memorize all six and at least one country case for each.

Memory shortcut: Physical, Ethnic (separatism + cleansing), Terror, Economic, Irredentism — PEEEI or "physical, ethnic times two, terror, economic, irredentism."

Four cases that show CED-named devolutionary factors at work.

Spain · Ethnic Separatism + Economic

Catalonia ~16% of pop; ~19% of GDP

Spain illustrates two CED factors at once. Catalan ethnic separatism (a distinct language and identity) combines with economic arguments (Catalonia is a net contributor to Spanish federal finances) to produce sustained devolutionary pressure. The 2017 independence referendum (declared illegal by Spanish courts) showed how separatism and economic grievance amplify each other.

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Myanmar · Ethnic Cleansing

~740K Rohingya refugees fled in 2017

The 2017 expulsion of the Rohingya from Rakhine State by Myanmar's military is one of the clearest contemporary cases of ethnic cleansing per the CED definition. About 740,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh; the UN has called it a textbook case of ethnic cleansing. The crisis has accelerated international challenges to Myanmar's sovereignty and weakened central state authority in border regions.

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Ukraine · Irredentism (Russia)

Crimea annexed 2014; Donbas conflict ongoing

Russia's annexation of Crimea (2014) and intervention in eastern Ukraine (2014, 2022) are textbook irredentism: Russia claims the right to incorporate Russian-speaking territories of a neighboring sovereign state. Russia made similar irredentist arguments about Russian speakers in the Baltic states and other former Soviet territories. Russian irredentism has been the most violent expression of the CED factor in the 21st century.

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Indonesia · Physical Geography

~17,500 islands · spread ~5,000 km east-west

Indonesia's archipelago of about 17,500 islands stretching 5,000 km east-west is a textbook physical-geography devolutionary factor. Distance and ocean separation reinforce regional identities (Acehnese, Papuan, Balinese) and make central rule from Jakarta logistically and politically difficult. The 2002 independence of Timor-Leste and ongoing Papuan separatism show physical geography contributing directly to devolution.

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1. The CED names exactly six devolutionary factors. Which one do you think is most powerful as a driver of contemporary state breakup, and why? Use one specific country case to defend your choice.
2. Distinguish ethnic separatism (Catalans wanting to leave Spain) from irredentism (Russia wanting to take territory from Ukraine). Why does the CED treat them as separate factors when both involve ethnic identity?
3. Physical geography divisions are listed as a devolutionary factor. But the US, India, and Brazil are large states with major physical geography barriers (the Rockies, the Western Ghats, the Amazon) and they have not devolved. Why? What makes physical geography a stronger or weaker factor in different countries?
4. Ethnic cleansing is the most violent factor. It can both cause devolution (driving regions to separate) and be a result of devolution gone wrong (Bosnia, Kosovo). How does the chain of causation work in a specific case you know?
5. Wealthy regions (Catalonia, Lombardy, Flanders) sometimes drive devolution because they resent subsidizing poorer regions. Poor regions (Aceh in Indonesia, Tibet in China) sometimes drive devolution because of marginalization. Why are both wealth and poverty potential devolutionary factors?

Draft alignment — pending educator review. AP HG codes correspond to the official College Board Course and Exam Description (Effective Fall 2020, V.1). Statements below are paraphrased in CountryReports' own voice; refer to the College Board's published CED for verbatim wording.

AP® and Advanced Placement® are registered trademarks of the College Board. The College Board was not involved in the production of this material and does not endorse it. Standards statements above are paraphrased; codes refer back to the official College Board CED, the NCSS C3 Framework, the Common Core State Standards, and other cited frameworks.