Words to Your Mother: Devolve

To devolve is not the same thing as to  de-evolve, although it can mean to "degenerate or deteriorate gradually".  However, the primary meaning has to do with delegating responsibility or transferring responsibility.  In particular, it may refer to the "statuatory granting of powers from the central government of a state to government at national, regional or local level".

The United States government is not an example of devolution, since the states powers cannot be immediately revoked or granted by the federal government.  (This is instead an example of federalism.)  However, Washington, D.C. in and of itself could be considered an example of devolution, not because the people serving there are de-evolved, but because the powers of that district can be revoked by the federal government at any time.

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