Forms of Governance
Introduced| English | Meaning |
|---|---|
| unitary state/ˈjuːnɪtəri steɪt/ | A state in which ultimate governmental authority is concentrated at the national level, even if some powers are delegated locally. |
| federal state/ˈfedərəl steɪt/ | A state whose constitutional system divides governing authority between a national government and constituent regional governments. |
Sharing power inside a state
- States organise power between the centre and the regions in two main ways.
- The choice shapes how decisions are made and who makes them.
- It depends on a country's size and diversity.
Unitary states
- A unitary state 单一制国家 keeps most power in the central government.
- France is a classic example.
- It works best in small or culturally uniform countries.
Compare the source of regional powers, not simply the presence of regional offices
Unitary or federal?
Sort each feature as belonging to a unitary or federal state.
A state that shares power between the centre and strong regional governments is...
Difficulty 1/5 · 100 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
A federal state shares power with regions (USA, India).
A unitary state keeps most power in the central government.
Difficulty 1/5 · 100 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
Yes — unitary states are centralised, like France.
Select all true statements.
Difficulty 2/5 · 140 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
The first three are correct; the USA is federal, not unitary.
Federal states
- A federal state 联邦制国家 shares power between the centre and regional governments.
- The USA and India are examples.
- It suits large or diverse countries where regions want a say.
Large, diverse countries like India usually choose a ____ system of governance.
Difficulty 1/5 · 100 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
Federal systems give diverse regions real power.
Match each state to its system.
Difficulty 2/5 · 140 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
France = unitary; India = federal; federal = shared power.
Neither system is simply "better". A unitary state is efficient but can ignore regional needs; a federal state respects diversity but can be slower and prone to disputes between levels. Match the system to the country's size and diversity.
France, medium-sized and fairly uniform, runs as a unitary state with power in Paris. India, huge and hugely diverse in language and religion, is a federal state — its many states need real power of their own to hold the country together.
A unitary state concentrates power at the centre (France) — best for small, uniform countries. A federal state shares power with regional governments (USA, India) — best for large, diverse ones. The choice reflects a country's size and diversity.
Write from a federal state
- A constitution gives provinces the power to set school laws.
- The national government still handles defence and the currency.
Is this state unitary or federal?
Shared constitutional power is federalism.
What form of governance shares school laws with provinces?
Difficulty 1/5 · 100 coins + a small bonus on first completion today
Both levels have real powers.