A unitary system of government and a federal system differ primarily in the distribution of power.
-
Unitary System: In a unitary system, all powers are concentrated in a central government. The central authority holds the majority of power and can delegate some responsibilities to local governments, but it retains the right to revoke those powers. Local governments exist at the discretion of the central government.
-
Federal System: In contrast, a federal system divides power between a central government and regional (state or provincial) governments. Both levels of government have their own responsibilities and powers, which are typically outlined in a constitution. Federal systems often involve checks and balances between different branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent the concentration of power.
Based on your provided statements:
- Correct: "In a unitary system, all powers are held by one government."
- Incorrect: "In a unitary system, most powers are reserved to provincial governments." (This describes a federal system better.)
- Incorrect: "In a federal system, there are no checks and balances between branches of government." (Federal systems typically have checks and balances.)
- Incorrect: "In a federal system, the head of the executive branch and the legislative branch are the same person." (This may apply to some systems, but it is not a defining characteristic of federal systems; many have separate branches.)
In summary, the main distinction lies in how power is distributed: unitary systems concentrate power in a single central government, while federal systems distribute power between central and regional authorities.
1 answer