UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

 Unity system of government is a system in which all government of powers are concentrated in the hands of a single authority of central government. The single authority does not share governmental powers with anybody but can delegate powers to other subordinate bodies. The central government is the only source from which power emanates.
A unitary government adopt a unitary Constitution. Countries that adopt unitary government include Britain, Italy France Belgium, Ghana, Cameron etc.

Features of unitary system of government

1.     All governmental powers are concentrated in the hands of a single Authority or central government.

2.      All unitary government adopt unitary Constitution.

3.      The central government create regions within the nation for administrative purposes.

4.     The central government is the only source from which power emanates.

5.     The central government can delegate powers to order subordinate bodies.

6.     There is no constitutional division of powers between the central government and the local districts or regions.

7.     There is the supremacy of the Parliaments in a unitary system of government.

Factors that give to the adoption of unitary system of government

a.      Size of the country:  unity government is practice in countries that relatively have small size, e.g. Togo, Ghana etc.

b.     Absence of Tribal the differences: a unitary system of government is adopted in countries with homogeneous people which remove tribal differences.

c.      Common language on culture:  come on language and culture binds people together and this give rise to the adoption of unitary system of government.

d.     Absence of minority groups:  where there are no minority groups, unitary system of government can work well.

e.      Lack of fear of domination:  countries where the different sections of the Nationals do not fear any form of domination, usually adopt unitary system of government.
             Advantages of unitary government

1.     Stronger and stable government: Unitary government tends to be stronger and more stable than the federal system of government. This is because citizens show loyalty to one central government.

2.     Reduction in cost:  the cost of running a unitary system of government is reduced because there is no duplication of government offices.

3.     Speedy decision-making:  there is speedy or quick decision making in unitary government. This is because the single Authority in to which powers are concentrated did not need to consult any other authority before taking decisions.

4.     Promotion of national unity: the system promotes Patriotism as a result of absences of tribalism, sectionalism associated with federalism and this gives rise to national unity.

5.     Uniform development:  all parts of a country that adopt unitary government tend to develops at the same pace,  because the country is one and not divided into section which remove sectionals sentiments.

6.     It  remove frictions:  The agreements that's usually exists between the central government and regional or state government are removed by Unitarism

Disadvantages of   unitary government

1.      It encourage dictatorship: unit 3 government list dictatorship as a result of concentration of powers in a single Authority.

2.     Central government is overburdened:  the central government is overloaded with too much problems as a result of concentration of all governmental powers in one single authority.

3.     Prevention of local authority: Unitary system prevents local authorities from exercising power in their different areas based on their culture and traditions.

4.     It does not suit large territories:  Unitary system of government is only suitable for countries with small size, not countries with large population, wide geographical areas, diverse language, culture etc.

5.     Government is far from people:  Unitary government places government far away from the people especially those in of the interior parts of the country.

6.     Domination of minority groups:  minority groups in a country that adopt unitary government are dominated by their majority counterparts.