A unitary government is a type of political system in which power is centralized at the national or central level, and subnational units such as states or provinces have little or no autonomy. This type of government is characterized by a number of features that distinguish it from other forms of government, such as federalism or confederalism.
One of the key features of a unitary government is the concentration of power at the national level. This means that the national government has the final say on all matters of policy, and subnational units have little or no authority to make their own decisions. This can be contrasted with federal systems, in which power is divided between the national government and the states, and each level has its own sphere of authority.
Another feature of unitary government is the absence of a written constitution that divides power between the national government and subnational units. In federal systems, the constitution serves as the supreme law of the land and outlines the powers and responsibilities of each level of government. In unitary systems, there may be a written constitution, but it is often less detailed and does not clearly define the powers and responsibilities of the different levels of government.
A unitary government is also characterized by a strong central bureaucracy that is responsible for implementing the policies of the national government. This bureaucracy is often hierarchical and centralized, with decisions being made at the top and implemented by lower-level officials. This can be contrasted with federal systems, which often have more decentralized bureaucracies that are responsible for implementing the policies of the states or provinces.
A unitary government may also have a strong central executive, such as a president or prime minister, who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the government. This central executive may have wide-ranging powers, including the ability to appoint and remove officials, control the budget, and declare war. In federal systems, the central executive is often more constrained by the powers of the states or provinces.
Overall, the features of unitary government can be summarized as follows:
- Centralization of power at the national level
- Absence of a written constitution that divides power between the national government and subnational units
- Strong central bureaucracy responsible for implementing national policies
- Strong central executive with wide-ranging powers.
Examples of countries with unitary government systems include the United Kingdom, France, and Japan.