Cepeda, Keziah R.

BSCE 3-3

What are the principal forms of government…

II. As to extent of powers exercised by the central or national government:
The two main forms of government based on the extent of powers exercised by the central or
national government are unitary government and federal government.
1. Unitary Government. A unitary government is a system where the central or national
government holds all the power and authority over the country, including the power to create
and enforce laws, allocate resources, and make decisions on behalf of the entire nation. Local
and regional governments, if they exist, have limited powers and are subordinate to the
central government. Examples of countries with a unitary system of government include
France, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
2. Federal Government. A federal government is a system where power is divided between the
central or national government and the subnational governments, such as states or provinces.
The national government holds authority over certain matters, while the subnational
governments have authority over others. In a federal system, both the national and
subnational governments have their own legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Examples of countries with a federal system of government include the United States,
Canada, and Australia.