Unitary state: Difference between revisions
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A '''unitary state''' is a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority. The central government may create (or abolish) administrative divisions (sub-national units). Such units exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate. Although political power may be delegated through devolution to regional or local governments by statute, the central government may abrogate the acts of devolved governments or curtail (or expand) their powers. | A '''unitary state''' is a sovereign state governed as a single entity in which the central government is the supreme authority. The central government may create (or abolish) administrative divisions (sub-national units). Such units exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate. Although political power may be delegated through devolution to regional or local governments by statute, the central government may abrogate the acts of devolved governments or curtail (or expand) their powers. | ||
Unitary states stand in contrast to federations, also known as ''federal states''. A large majority of the world's sovereign states (166 of the 193 UN member states) have a unitary system of government. | Unitary states stand in contrast to federations, also known as ''[[Federal state|federal states]]''. A large majority of the world's sovereign states (166 of the 193 UN member states) have a unitary system of government. | ||
== Devolution compared with federalism == | == Devolution compared with federalism == | ||