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Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 2
Question 2
Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland. In your answer you should draw on relevant knowledg... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Evaluate the view that devolution has been good for Wales and Scotland but not for England and Northern Ireland - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 2 - 2021 - Paper 2
Step 1
Points of Agreement
Answer
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Increased Powers for Wales and Scotland: Both Wales and Scotland have gained additional powers through devolution. For instance, the Scotland Acts have empowered the Scottish Parliament significantly since their establishment. In contrast, England has seen no equivalent development, leaving it without a devolved parliament.
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Devolution as a Success: Devolution is generally viewed as successful for both Scotland and Wales. It has allowed these regions to tailor policies that meet their unique needs and preferences, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-determination.
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Limited Development in England: Devolution has been limited in England, with no separate political structures that provide comparable authority, leading to perceptions of unequal treatment.
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Stability in Northern Ireland: The establishment of the Northern Ireland Assembly has contributed to peace and stability, although this has been tested due to political suspensions.
Step 2
Points of Disagreement
Answer
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Inadequate for Independence Movements: Critics argue that devolution has not satisfied demands for independence, especially in Scotland, where the Scottish National Party continues to advocate for a referendum on independence, claiming that the devolution settlement is insufficient.
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Limited Powers in Wales: The Welsh Parliament does not wield as extensive powers as those in Scotland. This disparity raises concerns about whether Wales is truly benefiting from devolution in the same manner as Scotland.
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No Separate Parliament for England: England’s absence of a separate parliament contrasts sharply with the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales. This has led to claims that English interests are not adequately represented, fostering feelings of dissatisfaction among the English populace.
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Political Instability in Northern Ireland: The frequent suspensions of the Northern Ireland Assembly raise questions about the effectiveness and utility of devolution in that region, as political disagreements have often hampered its functioning.
Step 3
Conclusion
Answer
In conclusion, while devolution has indeed provided benefits to Wales and Scotland, such as greater legislative power and a degree of self-governance, it has not been uniformly successful across the UK. England remains without a separate parliament, and concerns about the adequacy of Welsh powers highlight disparities. Moreover, Northern Ireland's political challenges pose additional complexities to the discussion of devolution's effectiveness. Thus, it is essential to critically assess both the gains and the limitations of devolution to understand its overall impact.