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Unitary System

Definition

A unitary system is a form of government where power is concentrated in the central government, and local governments are subordinate.

Analogy

Think of a unitary system like a large corporation's headquarters. The main office (central government) makes all the decisions and the branches (local governments) follow those directives.

Related terms

Federal System: This is another form of governance where power is divided between central and regional authorities. It's like each branch of a company having some autonomy to make decisions that suit their specific needs.

Confederation: This refers to an alliance or group of states with a common purpose. It's similar to different companies coming together for a joint project but still maintaining their individual identities.

Devolution: This term refers to the transfer or delegation of power from central government to regional or local authorities. Imagine if the corporate headquarters decided to give more decision-making powers to its branches.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.