Evaluating Devolution in Wales

Abstract

Reviews of devolution in Wales have been focussed so far on empirical description and positive analysis; there has been almost no discussion of how it should be judged or evaluated. I redress this imbalance by considering the arguments for devolution and the various normative values that may be used to evaluate the process. The arguments for devolution are of two basic kinds. Some are consequentialist: that devolution is desired on the grounds that it is believed to have good or desirable effects. Others are deontological: that devolution is thought to be intrinsically valuable. Any attempt to justify and evaluate devolution by consequentialist reasoning amounts to post hoc ergo propter hoc rationalisation. The social sciences are a long way from allowing the prediction of the global long‐term net equilibrium effects of a major institutional change such as devolution in Wales. I further argue that the nonconsequentialist value of autonomy is the underlying justification for the devolution process. Devolution should be judged according to how it appeals to, supports or embodies this value.

Devolution and inequality: a failure to create a community of equals?

“…Furthermore, he has argued that devolution has resulted in a more inclusive, pluralistic and complex decisionmaking process in both Scotland and Wales (p. 435). This emphasis upon inclusion and autonomy of decisionmaking is further emphasised in Kay's (2003) evaluation of the Welsh experience, suggesting that evaluation should separate the process of devolution from the performance of the institutions themselves. Thus increasing inclusion can be identified in the introduction of two high profile initiatives of the devolved institutions: the scrapping of charges for personal care of the elderly by the Scottish Parliament and the scrapping of prescription charges by the Welsh Assembly.…”

Federalism and Regionalism in Australia: New Approaches, New Institutions?

“…Internationally, although devolutionary reforms are usually undertaken as 'acts of faith' without comprehensive prior planning, governments are usually then forced to evaluate these reforms against ex post facto descriptions of their intentions (Kay 2003;Jones et al 2005: 401).…”

The Discursive Direction of Welsh Devolution: a critical analysis of Welsh anti-poverty agenda narrative

“…While much has been written on the emergence (Jones and Scully, 2013), economic processes (Bristow, 2008), law (Chaney, 2002), geography (Harris and Hooper, 2006) and evaluation (Kay, 2003) of Welsh devolution; further investigation is required into the discourse surrounding key events under the anti-poverty agenda. This paper aims to contribute to debates and investigations into the past, present and a future shape of the Welsh Government's approach to poverty through discursive analysis.…”