Distinguish the the federal government and unitary government.
Answers
Explanation:
To understand the difference between federal and unitary states, let us fist look at one example each from both the categories. In my view, the best example of a federal State is United State of America (USA), and it is perhaps the only country that perfectly fits the definition, and the nearest example of perfect unitary state one may think of is China.
As may be seen from the examples, federal states are essentially liberal and significantly more powers are held by provincial or local administrations to conceive, to develop, and to execute plans and programs for welfare of the people living within their respective areas.
On the contrary, a unitary state is, by definition, a state, nation, or country governed as a single entity, in which the govt at the centre or the union govt is ultimate, supreme and provincial or local administrative divisions or sub-national units, if there are any, have lesser powers, only within the areas and the powers delegated by central or union govt.
If seen strictly, though there are several countries that may like to be called as federal states, but essentially a large majority of states in the world has unitary system of govt.
As per Wikipedia, of the 193 member states of United Nations, as high as 165 are governed as unitary states. Strictly speaking, even highly liberal and welfare states like Japan, France, Italy, and even United Kingdom would fall under the category of unitary states.
Federal state or federation is a political entity characterised by a union of partially self governing states, or regions functioning voluntarily under a constitutionally formed union of states or federation. In a federation, the self-governing status of the component states, as well as the division of power between them and the central government, are defined constitutionally and are well entrenched. The rights of the component states may not usually be altered by a unilateral decision of either, the sub states or the federal entity.
Alternatively, federation is a form of government in which sovereign power is formally divided between a central authority and a number of constituent regions so that each region retains a degree of control over its internal affairs, polices and welfare plans.
In federations, at least constitutionally, the sub units or component states even have the liberty to exit or to secede from the union. Fragmentation of Soviet Union - USSR - Union of Soviet Socialist Republic is an extreme example, which has since vanished from maps. Other than Russia, there are now over a dozen independent states in place of USSR, which till 1991 used to be a single entity.
India falls under the category of federal states as it has constitutionally defined the separation of powers between the centre and the states, by having enshrined in its constitution three lists categorised as central list, states list, and concurrent list, which define the powers and rights of the centre and states.
However, there are strong traits of unitary state like the centre has far more powers than the states and the states are financially beholden to the centre for smooth functioning. Also, in case of conflict between central law and a state law, the central law would prevail.
The safeguard is that the Supreme Court is constitutionally designated as the custodian of law and is empowered to adjudicate if any dispute arises between the union and states.
Explanation:
A federation (also known as a federal state) is a political entity characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces, states, or other regions under a central federal government (federalism).....