What is the process called when national powers are transferred to regional or local authorities?

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Transferring national powers to regional or local authorities is called devolution. It means the central government hands over authority to elected regional bodies to make decisions in specific policy areas, while the central government keeps ultimate sovereignty and can change or withdraw those powers later. This differs from federalism, where powers are permanently divided and both levels have constitutional sovereignty; devolution is typically a one-way transfer that can be adjusted, reversed, or expanded by legislation. It also contrasts with centralization, which moves powers back to the national level, and with delegation, which involves assigning particular tasks without creating new autonomous authorities.