No
modern state can be effectively governed from a single location only. The
distribution of powers between or among different levels of government is, therefore,
an important aspect of the constitutional arrangement at present. All states have at least two levels of
government: central and local.
Several
countries also contain a third level of government, which is responsible for
the interests of more or less large regions. This article
will examine the meaning, characteristics and the merits and demerits of a unitary system of government. It
will also use examples of some
countries in the world to illustrate the application of unitarism.
Meaning of Unitary System of Government
A government is
regarded as unitary when the national or central government is supreme over
other levels of government that might exist in a given state. Other levels of
government referred to in the above definition are the local governments or
units. The central government enjoys almost complete control over their smaller
local government entities.
In a unitary system,
almost all power and responsibility is vested in the central government. Local
governments may only exercise power through the central government. The central
government has full legal right to over-rule such Local governments. They are
not only created by the center, they owe their existence to the centre and are
subordinate to the national government. The principle that governs a unitary constitution
is Unitarianism. The word ‘Unitarianism’
means the concentration of political power in the hands of one visible
sovereign power; be it that of a parliament or a legitimate dictator.
In short, a unitary
constitution means that sovereignty is exercised from one source rather than
from many sources. It is a unit center of power, meaning that power emanates
from one source only.
We must note that
the terms unitarism and federalism are contradictory and mutually exclusive. To
put it differently, while there are different types of unitary or federal
constitution, we cannot, strictly speaking, have a constitution which is, at
the same time, unitary and federal.
The phrase quasi-federal
or quasi unitary is a hybrid, which merely seeks to derive the best from both
ends, and is therefore unrealistic. Though a full discussion of the federal
form of government in the next unit, it will be of benefit to you here if we
enrich this discourse by introducing what the late Chief Awolowo once popularized
and described as the linguistic principles.
Although the first
and fourth of these four principles are particularly relevant to our discussion
on the unitary form of government, it will be more illuminating to mention the
other two:
i) If a country is
unilingual and uni-national, the constitution must be unitary.
ii) If a country is
unilingual or bilingual or multilingual, and also consists of communities which,
over years, have developed divergent nationalities, the constitution must be
federal, and the constituent states must be organized on the dual basis of
language and nationality.
iii) If a country is
bilingual or multilingual, the constitution must be federal and the constituent
states must be organized on a linguistic basis.
iv) Any experiment with a unitary constitution in
a bilingual or multilingual or multinational country is bound to fail, in the
long run.
Merits of Unitary System of Government
i) Since the logic
and mechanism of a unitary government avoids the division of a country into
autonomous regions or states, it can help to preserve and promote national
unity. Unlike a federal system that promotes regionalism and tribalism, which
further engender dual citizenship and double allegiance, one supreme central
government under a unitary framework will put an end to all these divisive and
centrifugal forces.
ii) In the unitary
system, there is the absence of duplication of centre powers as it is in the
federal states. Since decisions on all important issues are made at the centre,
it reduces the cost of governance.
iii) The
concentration of power rather than its dispersion ensures a strong government.
This is because there is minimal diversity in a unitary state. In a unitary
system of government due to much identical culture, economic and social
composition of the people in the state, there is usually the absence of
friction, tension or rancor, that often characterise the federal system in the
struggle for “unity in diversity.”
iv) The principle
ensures that even development is realized in a state that operates a unitary
system of government.
v) There is
uniformity of laws and administration in a unitary state. This ensures that there
is no overlapping or conflict of jurisdiction throughout the state. This makes
the allegiance of the citizens remain undivided. Unlike in the federal system
of government where citizens owe allegiance both to the centre and the region
to which they belong, such a situation that can breed separatist tendencies is
avoided in a unitary state.
Read On: Presidential System of Government: Meaning and Features
Demerits of Unitary System of Government
i) In a unitary
system of government, power is highly centralized and concentrated in one
sovereign. This can lead to totalitarianism, oligarchy or even autocracy in the
running of the affairs of the state. The unitary system as a result of the
point mentioned above often makes it difficult for the masses to take an active
part in civic affairs of their state.
ii) There is also no
local initiative in a unitary system of government. This is because the little
or residual power delegated to the local authorities can be taken away from
them at the whims and caprices of the centre. In France, for example, ‘the
Minister of
Interior presses the
button and the prefects, the sub prefects; the Mayors and the Deputy Mayors do
the rest.’
iii) The central
government is not always aware of local problems since it is not closer to the
grassroots.
iv) The unitary
system can also easily collapse. A single central authority may easily collapse
under stress from within and without. Multiplication of centres of power serves
as a safeguard against such a danger.
Applications of
Unitary System of Government
Britain operates a unitary system of government. Under this arrangement, all governmental powers are concentrated at the central level. Any local level of government that exists are created and allocated powers by the central government.
This is unlike the
United States and Nigeria where the states as federating units derive their
powers from the constitution, and are equal, exercising co-ordinate authority
with the federal government in those powers allotted to them.
Conclusion on Unitary System of Government: Merits and Demerits
Unitary system of
administration is popular among states. Its major attraction is the simplicity
of its structure and organization.
It is also not open
to contestant that may arise due to disagreement over the sharing of powers
because it provides for one level of authority thereby removing the danger of
dual allegiance. Nonetheless, a unitary system of government does not apply to
the circumstances of every state.
In this article, we began with the examination of a unitary form of administrative system, by giving its definition, meaning and characteristics.
We also observed that a unitary system is most suitable for smaller states with fewer diversities of population, and for this reason, it enjoys wider acceptance in today’s world of mini, or even in certain cases, miniature states.
We discussed the advantages and disadvantages of a unitary system of government.
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