Devolution in political and legal practice of modern states

The article analyzes he specifics of devolutionary processes in modern states. The author defines devolution as the transfer by the central power structures of part of the powers to autonomous territories. Criteria for differentiation of decentralization of power and devolution are singled out. A review of the existing scientific literature on the subject under consideration has shown that there is no consensus among researchers on the nature of the phenomenon of devolution. The author of the article comes to the conclusion that devolution is a product of globalization. Vectors of the implementation of devolution are presented: legislative powers, powers in the field of collecting and spending budget funds, language policy, ethnic policy, foreign policy powers. The systems of distribution of power between the center and regions in Germany, Italy, Spain, Great Britain are analyzed. The author notes the advantages and disadvantages of existing power distribution systems.