How is a unitary system of government different from the federal government? Would it be because a unitary system of powers are held by one government or an entry system most powers are preserved to provincial government or in a federal system there are no checks and balances between branches of government or last would it be in a federal system the head of the executive branch and the legislative branch are the same person

The primary difference between a unitary system of government and a federal system lies in the distribution of power between the central government and regional or provincial governments. Here’s a breakdown of the key distinctions:

1. **Power Distribution**:
- **Unitary System**: In a unitary system, most of the power is concentrated in a central government. While there may be local or regional authorities, these derive their powers from the central government, which can also modify or abolish them. Examples include France and the United Kingdom.
- **Federal System**: In a federal system, power is divided between a central (national) government and various regional or provincial governments. Each level of government has its own powers and responsibilities that are constitutionally protected. Examples include the United States and Canada.

2. **Autonomy of Subnational Entities**:
- In a **unitary system**, subnational entities (like provinces or municipalities) have limited autonomy and their powers can be changed by the central government.
- In a **federal system**, subnational entities have constitutionally guaranteed powers and significant autonomy, making them more secure against arbitrary changes by the central government.

3. **Checks and Balances**:
- The statement about checks and balances between branches of government isn't strictly about unitary versus federal systems. Both types can have systems of checks and balances, but they may manifest differently depending on their specific constitutional arrangements.
- In federal systems, the division of powers among federal and state governments adds a layer to the checks and balances system, whereas in unitary systems, checks and balances may be less pronounced due to centralization.

4. **Executive and Legislative Relationships**:
- The statement about the head of the executive branch being the same person as the head of the legislative branch does not directly differentiate between unitary and federal systems. This can happen in both types of systems and often depends on whether the system is presidential or parliamentary.

In summary, the main distinction is that a unitary government consolidates power in a single central authority, whereas a federal system distributes power between national and regional governments, each with some degree of autonomy.