Question

Differentiate between federal and unitary form of government with examples.

Hint:

Federal systems promote regional autonomy, while unitary systems centralize power in the hands of the central government.

Answer 1

Federal and unitary governments differ in how they distribute power:
- Federal: Power is divided between a central government and regional governments (e.g., states). The United States and India exemplify this, with both levels of government wielding constitutionally-defined powers.
- Unitary: All power resides in the central government. Regional entities, if present, are granted powers by the central authority. France is an example, with its central government holding substantial control over local administrative units.