17.

Examine the essential features of a Unitary System of government. State four advantages and four disadvantages of such a system. 

The form of government in which the constitution concentrates all powers in the single central government is known as a Unitary government.

The characteristics of a Unitary government are mentioned below:

i. Single government: In a Unitary government, there is only one integrated system of government. The central government consisting of a legislature and an executive exercises powers over the territory of the entire state. Accordingly, supreme power belongs to the central government alone.

ii. Concentration of power: Concentration of power in a single centre is the basis of a Unitary government. There is no constitutional division and distribution of powers.

iii. Administrative units at the mercy of the centre: The administrative units created under a Unitary government have no constitutional existence. Therefore, these can be abolished or reorganized without amending the constitution.

iv.Supremacy of Legislature: In a Unitary system, there is one supreme legislature. It is the supreme law-making body in the land. Its actions are not subject to judicial review. For instance, theoretically, the British Constitution establishes supremacy of Parliament. There is no judicial review and no authority can declare the laws made by Parliament as unconstitutional.

v. Single citizenship: In a Unitary government, there is only one citizenship-the citizenship of the whole country.

Advantages of Unitary Government:

i. A Unitary system has only one government which can maintain uniformity of laws, policy and administration in the whole country. It provides better scope for bringing about unity among the people.

ii. As the Unitary form of government is marked by a single executive and a single legislature, there can be no conflict regarding authority and responsibility for work. This accounts for administrative efficiency.

iii. In a Unitary government, the central government can follow a vigorous domestic and foreign policy. The government is known for its promptness of decision and firmness of action.

iv. This government is very much suitable during emergency. As the government can take decisions promptly, it can face any situation quickly and with determination.

v. The constitution in a Unitary government is relatively flexible. It can be more progressive and responsive to the people as the constitution can be amended without much difficulty to meet the demand of particular situations.

Disadvantages of Unitary Government:

i. The greatest disadvantage of the Unitary form of government is its inapplicability in states with larger territory inhabited by people of different religions, cultures and languages, etc. In such a state different laws may be necessary for meeting the needs of different localities, or else some areas may be neglected.

ii. In a Unitary system, all powers are concentrated in the central government. As such, a Unitary state may be transformed into a totalitarian state.

iii.In a Unitary government, sometimes, local self-government is ignored. The central government has no time to devote attention to local matters. Thus, people may not take interest in local matters.

iv. In a Unitary government, people have to depend on only the central government for everything. As a result, the single government in a Unitary system has to bear the heavy burden and responsibility of all work.

v. As there is no separate legislature in the states and there is less local self-government in a Unitary government, elections are also less frequently held. As such, the people and their representatives do not receive much political education in this form of government.