devolution
devolution — 名詞
1. the formal process by which a central government or large organization transfers
權力下放
中央將權力移交地方
the formal process by which a central government or large organization transfers some of its decision-making power and responsibility to smaller regional or local bodies that were previously under its direct control
The 1998 devolution of powers created separate parliaments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
1998 年的權力下放為蘇格蘭、威爾斯和北愛爾蘭設立了各自的議會。
devolution of powers — transfer from central to regional government
Tariq argued that greater devolution to city councils would improve waste collection and road maintenance.
Tariq 主張將更多權力下放給市議會，以改善垃圾清運和道路養護等公共服務。
After devolution, the regional government gained control over healthcare funding and education policy.
權力下放後，地方政府獲得了醫療保健經費和教育政策的掌控權。
The minister opposed any further devolution of tax-raising powers to the provinces.
部長反對將任何進一步的課稅權力下放給各省。
further devolution + of [specific powers]
After devolution, the Welsh health board gained the authority to decide how to spend its own budget on local hospital services and GP clinics.
權力下放後，威爾斯衛生局獲得了自行決定如何將預算用於當地醫院服務和診所的權力。
devolution gave [body] authority over [specific policy area]
- devolution of power
- devolution settlement
- greater devolution
- further devolution
- demand devolution
- support devolution
- devolution to Scotland/Wales/regions
- decentralization
broader term covering any dispersal of functions; devolution specifically implies formal transfer of authority
- delegation
can be temporary or revocable; devolution is typically more permanent and structural
- transfer of powers
more literal and neutral phrasing; devolution is the established political term
- centralization
the opposite process — concentrating power at a central level
- concentration
focuses on gathering authority rather than dispersing it
文法句型
devolution + of + noun phrase
devolution + to + regional body
用法筆記
Most commonly used in discussions of governmental structure, especially regarding the transfer of powers to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in the UK. Can also apply to corporate decentralization, though this is less frequent.
常見錯誤
2. the gradual decline of a system, organism, or institution from a more advanced o
退化；衰敗
由高階狀態逐漸衰退
the gradual decline of a system, organism, or institution from a more advanced or effective state to a simpler or less organized one
Christopher described the collapse of the empire as a devolution into chaos and factional fighting.
Christopher 將帝國的崩潰描述為一種陷入混亂與派系鬥爭的退化。
devolution into [negative outcome/state]
After the director retired, the respected institute suffered a slow devolution into an organization more concerned with profit than research.
所長退休後，這間備受尊敬的研究機構逐漸退化為一個更關心利潤而非研究的組織。
devolution into [negative institutional state]
Adina's research tracked the coral reef's devolution from a thriving habitat to a barren landscape.
Adina 的研究追蹤了珊瑚礁從繁盛棲息地退化成貧瘠地景的過程。
devolution from [healthy state] to [degraded state]
Biologists view the species' loss of sight as an evolutionary devolution caused by dark caves.
生物學家認為該物種視力的喪失是一種因生活在黑暗洞穴中而導致的演化退化。
Critics say the new regulations represent a devolution of workplace safety standards, not an improvement.
批評者認為這些新法規代表的不是進步，而是職場安全標準的衰敗。
- devolution into chaos
- slow devolution
- evolutionary devolution
- social devolution
- devolution of standards
- degeneration
more direct synonym; devolution emphasizes a stepwise downward process
- decline
broader and more common; devolution suggests a return to a less developed state
- regression
implies moving backward along a known path; devolution can describe general deterioration
- evolution
the classic opposite — development toward greater complexity or effectiveness
- advancement
emphasizes positive forward movement
文法句型
devolution + into + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often carries a negative connotation of loss of quality or complexity. In evolutionary biology, use of this term is debated because it implies a value judgment about what counts as 'higher' versus 'lower' forms of life.