How is a unitary system of government different from a federal system?

Question

1. In a unitary system, all powers are held by one government.
2. In a unitary system, most powers are reserved to provincial governments.
3. In a federal system, there are no checks and balances between branches of government.
4. In a federal system, the head of the executive branch and the legislative branch are the same person.

Answer 1

A unitary system of government is characterized primarily by the concentration of authority in a single central government, whereas a federal system of government divides powers between a central authority and various regional or provincial governments. Let's analyze the statements:

1. In a unitary system, all powers are held by one government.
   This is true. In a unitary system, the central government has supreme authority and can delegate powers to lower levels of government, but it can also retract those powers.

2. In a unitary system, most powers are reserved to provincial governments.
   This is false. In a unitary system, most powers are centralized in the national government, with limited autonomy given to provincial or local governments.

3. In a federal system, there are no checks and balances between branches of government.
   This is false. Federal systems often incorporate checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

4. In a federal system, the head of the executive branch and the legislative branch are the same person.
   This statement is generally false. In most federal systems, the head of the executive branch (e.g., president or prime minister) is separate from the legislative branch, which has its own leadership.

In summary, the primary difference is that in a unitary system, power is centralized, whereas in a federal system, power is divided between central and regional governments. The most accurate statement from the ones provided would be statement 1.