A unitary system of government is different from a federal system in several key ways:
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Distribution of Power: In a unitary system, all powers are concentrated in a single central government, which may delegate authority to local governments but retains ultimate control. In contrast, a federal system divides powers between a central government and regional or provincial governments, each with its own authority.
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Provincial Powers: In a unitary system, most powers are held by the central government, while local or provincial governments have only the powers that the central government chooses to grant. In a federal system, regional governments are constitutionally empowered to govern in certain areas without interference from the central government.
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Checks and Balances: Federal systems typically incorporate checks and balances within their structure to prevent any one branch from gaining excessive power. In a federal system, there are established mechanisms between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to ensure accountability. A unitary system may also have checks and balances, but they are typically less complex due to the centralization of power.
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Leadership: In a federal system, the head of the executive branch is typically separate from the legislative branch (e.g., a president or prime minister different from the legislative body). In some cases, particularly in parliamentary systems, the head of government is a member of the legislative branch, but this difference in separation of powers is less pronounced in a unitary system.
Overall, the primary distinction lies in how power is structured and distributed between different levels of government.