Main Difference

Government system of a country can be classified into two types of government.

Either it can be a federal government or can be a unitary government. It is

important to understand the differences between these two types of government

due to different forms of relationships that exists between the center and the units

or the states. Federal government is a type of national government in which

government have powers to delegates the power to other elected member of the

states while unitary government is a kind of government system in which a single

power, which is known as the central government, controls the whole government.
Federal Government

Federal government is a type of national government in which government has

powers to delegates the power to other elected member of the states. There can be

two level of federal government in a country either it is performing through

common institutions or through powers as prescribed by a constitution of the state.

It is totally opposite to the unitary government. In federation or federal

government, provinces or territories enjoys some rights as are available to the

independent states. However international diplomacy, national security, foreign

affairs and other kinds of international dealings are solely made by the federal

government. It can be in form of federal republic and federal monarchy

government. Currently there are 27 federations in the world. Pakistan, India, Brazil,

Switzerland, Sudan, etc. are examples of federal republic government while

Australia, Belgium, Canada, etc., are examples of federal monarchy

government. Mostly the federal government system is referred to the United States

government. This government is based on the republicanism and federalism. In the

federal system, power is jointly shared between the state and federal governments.

In the federal government system, the powers never rest with one national

government. However, there can be certain powers and authorities that remain
totally with the federal government like policies on defense, budget, international

diplomacy, etc. The hierarchy of power in federal government system starts from

the federal level and then cascades to the state and then local level. It is new

government system as compared to the unitary and confederal systems of

government that were popular before the introduction of the federal government.

The power of federal always remains superior to the state power. The federal

institutions can interfere in the matters of state level in case of violation of the

federal laws or constitution. In short, the federal government can be said as a

system of government where there is institutionalized division of authority between

national (federal) and subnational units (state).

Unitary Government

Unitary government is a kind of

government system in which a single power, which is known as the central

government, controls the whole government. In fact, all powers and administrative

divisions authorities lies at the central place. Today most of the government system

in the world is based on unitary system of government. It is slightly different from

federal states and con-federal states. In unitary government, central government

has the power to broaden or narrowed the power of sub-national units. It can

create and abolished the same up to his will. It can be in form of unitary republic or
unitary monarchy. Afghanistan, Italy, Zambia Ukraine, etc. are examples of unitary

republic government while Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Barbados, Morocco, Spain, etc. are

examples of unitary monarchy government. The unitary government system is

based on the concept of consistency, unity, and identity that’s why the

centralization of power and authority system remains at the top priority. The

decision making power rests with the central government that are shared by the

government with the lower level government when needed. There are not so many

options for change and new innovation as the people have a very limited voice in

this government system. There are many merits and demerits of unitary

government. It is useful in the term that rules and regulations in this government

systems remain consist and equal throughout the country. Moreover, it is less

expensive as compared to the federal government because the number of

powerful people remains very low.  In a time of emergency, it makes timely

decisions as compared to the federal government system. But at the same time, the

concept of freedom of speech and expression always remains at a low priority

that’s why most of the principles of unitary government are much similar to that of

dictatorship system of government.

Key Differences

 In unitary government system powers remained at central place and central

government have the authority to make all the decision while in federal

government most of the powers except powers related to international

affairs are delegated to local governments or provinces.

 Unitary government is not as much democratic form of government due to

decision making power at central place while federal government is a pure

democratic government in which local governments, territories, constituent’s

 states or provinces can enjoys some powers regarding governing and

decision making in their respective regions.

 Unitary government have just one government that’s why it is also known by

the name of central government while in federal government there are two

governments, one at central position and other at state or province level.

 Unitary government may or may not have constitution. Like England has no

constitution while France has constitution and both are unitary government.

While federal government must have a constitution.

 In case of disputes between institutions in federal government or any bill

passed by parliament, judiciary will interfere in the matter. While in case of

unitary government, even highest court cannot give judgment or remarks on

the law or bill passed by parliament.

 In the federal government, there is a hierarchy of power from federal level to

state and local level. In unitary government, the powers and authorities are

shared with the lower level government when needed.

 There are the common set of rules and regulations in the entire country

under the unitary system of government. In a federal government system,

there can be variations in rules and regulations at central and state level.

 So, the unitary government is a government system where there exists only

one national tire of government. There can be more self-governing territories

as well but in most of the cases, it remains mostly centralized.

 In the federal government, the central and government and the independent

states government can form a collation or agreement to operate jointly.

While it is not common practice in the unitary government system where the

independent regions or states exist by the permission of the central

 government. This permission can be revoked anytime by the unitary

government.

 In both federal and unitary government, the power of devolution rests with

the central government however the process for the establishment of

federation starts from the below level while in unitary government it is

established by the self-governing regions at their own.

 In the unitary government, despite the fact how many states are connected

in a central government, the people remain the nationals of a central

government and territories are also considered as the territory of a single

national government. Federal government system in this regard is entirely

opposite where the nationality of anyone depends upon the component of

state from where a person belongs.

 The federal government is the name of democracy, diversity, freedom of

choice and expression. The unitary government is the name of unity, identity

and consistency.

 To some extent, the federal government is the form of democratic

government that believes in the decentralization of power and authorities

and giving more freedom to the people. The unitary government system is

much similar to the dictatorial government where there is a concept of

centralization of power and authorities and no choices and freedom of

expression for the people.

 In the case of emergency where timely decisions are required, unitary

government is more responsive as compared to the federal government that

believes more on the formalities and legal aspects.

 Federal government system requires more budgets to be properly

maintained as numbers of people will be required to be elect to hold the

 public office. As in unitary government, there are is a very narrow chain of

command, so the budget expenses to manage the public offices remains

significantly low.

 United States government system is federal government system while the

United Kingdom government system is unitary government system.