Understanding Unitary vs Federal Systems of Government in Political Science

Unitary

A nation-state that has a centralized government and administration that exercises power equally over all parts of the state

In political science, the term unitary refers to a form of government where power is concentrated in a central government that holds authority over all subnational entities. This means that the central government has the power to establish the laws and policies that apply throughout the country, and any subnational entities such as states or provinces only have power that is delegated to them by the central government.

The unitary model of government is in contrast to federalism, which is a system of government in which power is divided between a central government and subnational governments, with each level of government having distinct powers and responsibilities.

In a unitary system, the central government has the power to make decisions for the entire country and to enforce those decisions. This can lead to more uniform policies and regulations across the country, but it can also limit the ability of subnational entities to make decisions that are appropriate for their local conditions.

Examples of unitary systems include the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. In these countries, a central government holds power over provinces or regions. In contrast, the United States and Switzerland are examples of federal systems, where power is divided between a central government and subnational entities.

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