A. Power divided among the branches / power held by one branch:
In a federal system, power is divided among different levels of government, usually between a central government and regional or state governments. Each level of government has its own authority and powers, as defined by the constitution. Examples of federal countries are Canada and the United States. On the other hand, in a unitary system, power is held by a single central government, which has the authority to make decisions for the whole country. Examples of unitary countries are France and the United Kingdom.
B. Rule by a democracy / rule by a monarchy:
Both federal and unitary systems can be ruled under a democracy or a monarchy, it is not a defining characteristic of either system. For example, Canada and the United States are federal systems and they are both democracies, while France and the United Kingdom are unitary systems and they both have a monarchy.
C. Power shared / power delegated:
In a federal system, power is shared between the central government and regional or state governments. Each level of government has its own spheres of authority and they share responsibilities in governing the country. In contrast, in a unitary system, power is delegated from the central government to regional or local governments. The central government retains ultimate authority and can take back powers or change the extent of power delegated to lower levels of government.
D. Role of government extended / role of government limited:
In a federal system, the role of government is generally extended as there are multiple levels of government, each with its own responsibilities and functions. This often leads to a larger and more extensive role for government in areas such as taxation, healthcare, education, and social welfare. In a unitary system, the role of government is usually more limited as power is concentrated in the central government which has the authority to make decisions for the whole country.
Comparison of federal and unitary system of government
Federal Unitary
Canada and the united state France and the United Kingdom
A. Power divided among the branches / power held by one branch
B. Rule by a democracy / rule by a monarchy
C. Power shared / power delegated
D. Role of government extended / role of government limited
3 answers
Pick one answer
If I have to pick just one answer, I would go with:
C. Power shared / power delegated
C. Power shared / power delegated