12 Unitary System Pros and
Cons
January 24, 2018 by Louise Gaille
A unitary system is
a political method of organization where most, if not all, of the governing
power for a society rests within a centralized government. The government then
rules as a single entity, where administrative divisions exercise powers only
if the authority has been delegated to them. Unitary governments often create
and remove subdivisions frequently, with constituents having not power to challenge
the authority or constitutionality of acts that are passed.
This is one of the
most common forms of government on our planet today. Over 150 nations are
currently structured as a unitary state.
Here are some of
the pros and cons of a unitary system of government to think about and discuss.
List of the Pros of a Unitary System
1. It is a
government that can move quickly.
Because power rests centrally within a unitary system, there are fewer delays
involved in the processing of a decision. In most governments with this system,
the power of making a decision lies with one legislative unit or even just one
person. That makes it possible to be responsive whenever there is a threat
posed, whether it is natural, political, or some other issue that must be
addressed.
2. It is a
government that is cheaper to run.
Unitary systems may delegate certain powers to administrative units, but the
final authority still rests within the one government system. That eliminates
the multiple levels of governmental bureaucracy that exist within other
systems. Fewer levels of bureaucracy creates less red tape to navigate, which
means lower overall operational costs. If run efficiently, the administrative
tax burden of the population under a unitary system can be lower.
3. It is a
government that can be smaller.
A centralized government can be run from a single location. The authority it
controls can be managed with a minimal number of elected officials, party
leaders, or representatives. This creates a level of efficiency that is greater
than other government formats because it is smaller. The structure makes it
possible to accomplish societal needs without micromanaging society on a daily
basis.
4. It is a
government that can promote a sense of unity.
Within a unitary system, loyalties are not divided. In the United States, for
example, people may find themselves being loyal to their state or their
community and the federal government may take a secondary role. Because unitary
systems create a centralized government that doesn’t create overlapping
districts, a sense of unity can be promoted by the government throughout
society. This offers the potential of reducing polarity.
5. It is a
government that can replicate other systems.
A unitary system may be centralized, but it can
also create satellites. These satellites can be stationed within each
community, allowing for people to access needed resources while the centralized
absolute authority is maintained. That reduces many of the problems which are
associated with this form of government because it provides a certain level of
infrastructure that can be used.
List of the Cons of a Unitary
System
1. It is a government without infrastructure.
A centralized government may save money by reducing administrative costs, but
that also means there is less infrastructure available to society to distribute
needed resources. If a natural disaster would occur, the response from a
unitary system is often slower than other forms of government when distributing
relief simply because there is no resource access available. There is a certain
expectation for the population to “fend for themselves” until the government
can adequately respond.
2.
It is a government that can be easily manipulated.
Unitary systems increase efficiencies by reducing bureaucracy. That structure
also means that the individuals in the government can affect the future of a
population if they pursue power or wealth for themselves over providing for
everyone. If one person has the power of the government and they can be easily
manipulated, then that society can be easily manipulated. At the end of the
day, unitary systems make it easier to abuse the power of the government and it
is the general population that is affected by such an action.
3. It is a government which ignores
local issues.
Centralized systems deal with a “big picture” scenario. From a government
perspective, that means domestic needs are often sacrificed to handle foreign
needs and threats. Because the power of the government must be delegated,
communities may find themselves without representation when local crises arise.
Self-governing is often encouraged, but without any power, it can still be
difficult to locate and use resources that may be necessary for survival.
4. It is a government that can ignore its sub-states.
A unitary system often makes decisions according to its current needs or
interests on a national level. That means the decisions affect local
communities without seeking out their advice to determine what their needs may
be. Over time, that can lead to a government which operates based on its own
survival instead of ruling according to the interests of its people.
5. It is a government the can become tyrannical.
Not only can officials or legislative bodies be easily manipulated within a
unitary system, they can be used to exploit the population. Because there is a
large amount of power, often political, that is invested into a unitary system,
this form of government is one of the most likely that leads to tyranny.
6. It is a government that can control the financial markets.
Everything is centralized within a unitary system, including financial
decisions. Historically, people with wealth and power tend to support their own
futures at the expense of the average household. That can place more taxation
pressure on the society, including corporate pressures, which can make it
difficult to earn a better living over time.
7. It is a government that remains in the control of a select few.
Within a unitary system, there may be national pride, but there are fewer
opportunities to get involved with the actual process of governing. The average
person is rarely given the opportunity to contact government officials in a
meaningful way. If policy changes occur, there are few options available to the
average person to create change within their government. Over time, this can
lead to high levels of distrust that may eventually cause societal disruption.
These unitary system pros and
cons provide evidence as to why it is a popular form of governing in the world
today. When structured properly, it can provide local governing resources while
still providing national-level support. It is when this type of government is
structured poorly that problems occur. The 10 most brutal dictators that ruled
through tyranny are responsible for the deaths of more than 100 million people
in the 20th century alone.
