devolution

noun

1. A rolling down.
2. A descent, especially one that passes through a series of revolutions, or by succession.
3. The transference of a right to a successor, or of a power from one body to another.
4. (derogatory)Degeneration.

   “It is quite disheartening to witness the devolution of our nation's political discourse over the past several years.”

   “He is the place where the devolution from Heaven and the evolution from earth meet.”

5. The transfer of some powers and the delegation of some functions from a central government to local government (e.g. from the U.K. parliament to Scottish parliament and Welsh assembly).

   “The question of whether England should receive devolution like Scotland and Wales have has dogged British politics for years.”

   “Governments like devolution because it gives ministers someone else to blame for problems.”

   “By the 1974 general election, the Scottish National Party (SNP) were polling at 30% and there were growing calls for devolution.”