UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Unitary system can be defined as a system of political organization in which most or all the
government powers reside in a single centralised authority. All legislative powers and
authority for the exercise of the functions of government are concentrated in the hands of a
central single authority. Unitary Government is otherwise known as Unitarianism, or
Centralisation.

In a unitary system of government, the central authority commonly delegates authority to

subnational units and channels policy decisions down to them for implementation. Examples
of countries that practise this System of government: France, Italy, New Zealand, Sierra
Leone, Ethiopia, Ghana, Gambia, Jamaica, Haiti, Dominican republic, Britain etc

FEATURES
1. All powers and authority of Government are concentrated in the hands of the central
authority.
2. There's no constitutional division of powers between the centre and other units.
3. It's best practice in a small homogeneous state.
4. It adopts flexible and unitary constitution
5. Component divisions share common historical past and record.
6. The central government can delegate power and functions to the subordinate units.
7. There's parliamentary supremacy
8. It enhances a strong central government.

REASONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF UNITARY SYSTEM

1. Homogeneous factor ie there's no sharp difference in language, religion, political beliefs

etc
2. It's best practised in a small state
3. Simple and cheap to operate
4. Facilitation of quick decision making
5. Control and accountability factor.
6. Absence of tribal grouping

MERITS OF A UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

1. It fosters unity
2. There's no duplication of positions and offices
3. It's easier to operate
4. It's less cost/ cost effectiveness
5. A unitary constitution is easy to draw up
6. A unitary constitution is easy to amend.
7. It promotes strong Government
8. There's no conflict of authority
 DEMERITS OF A UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
1. The concentration of powers at the centre does not allow the units to develop at their own
pace.
2. It encourages the emergency of dictatorship
3. There's little or no check or control in decision making.
4. The minority may be oppressed and dominated by the majority tribes.
5. It doesn't encourage wider representation of the people in the government.