Unitary state: Difference between revisions

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== Devolution compared with federalism ==

A unitary system of government can be considered to be the opposite of federalism. In federations, the provincial/regional governments share powers with the central government as equal actors through a written constitution~~, to~~ which ~~the consent of~~ both ~~is required to make amendments~~. This means that the sub-national units have a right to existence and powers that cannot be unilaterally changed by the central government.

A unitary system of government can be considered to be the opposite of federalism. In federations, or mega-nations, the provincial/regional/state governments share powers with the central government as equal actors through a written or unwritten constitution in which both play a part. This means that the sub-national units have a right to existence and powers that cannot be unilaterally changed by the central government.

There are, however, similarities between federalism and devolution. Devolution within a unitary state, like federalism, may be symmetrical, with all sub-national units having the same powers and status, or asymmetric, with sub-national units varying in their powers and status. Many unitary states have no areas possessing a degree of autonomy. In such countries, sub-national regions cannot decide their own laws. Examples are Romania, Ireland and Norway.

[[File:The pathway of regional integration or separation.png|center|thumb|700x700px]]

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 == Devolution compared with federalism ==
-A unitary system of government can be considered to be the opposite of federalism. In federations, the provincial/regional governments share powers with the central government as equal actors through a written constitution, to which the consent of both is required to make amendments. This means that the sub-national units have a right to existence and powers that cannot be unilaterally changed by the central government.
+A unitary system of government can be considered to be the opposite of federalism. In federations, or mega-nations, the provincial/regional/state governments share powers with the central government as equal actors through a written or unwritten constitution in which both play a part. This means that the sub-national units have a right to existence and powers that cannot be unilaterally changed by the central government.
-There are, however, similarities between federalism and devolution. Devolution within a unitary state, like federalism, may be symmetrical, with all sub-national units having the same powers and status, or asymmetric, with sub-national units varying in their powers and status. Many unitary states have no areas possessing a degree of autonomy. In such countries, sub-national regions cannot decide their own laws. Examples are Romania, Ireland and Norway.
 [[File:The pathway of regional integration or separation.png|center|thumb|700x700px]]

Unitary state: Difference between revisions

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