Why do some countries adopt unitary system of government?

Answer Details

A unitary system of government is one in which all constitutional powers are concentrated in a single central government, from which any powers exercised by lower units are delegated. Countries adopt this system for the following reasons.

1. Homogeneous population: Where the people are largely of the same ethnic, cultural, religious or linguistic background, there is little need for the separate regional autonomy that federalism provides, so a single central authority suffices.
2. Small size of the country: In a geographically small state, one central government can conveniently administer the whole territory, making the multiple layers of a federation unnecessary.
3. Strong and effective central control: A unitary system provides a single, strong centre of authority capable of taking firm and quick decisions and maintaining national unity and order.
4. Cheaper and more economical to run: Because it avoids the duplication of governmental organs found in federations, a unitary system reduces the cost of administration.
5. Uniformity of laws and policies: It allows laws, policies and standards to be uniform throughout the country, avoiding the confusion of differing regional laws.
6. Prevention of disunity and secession: By concentrating power at the centre, it discourages the growth of strong regional loyalties that might threaten the unity of the state or lead to secession.
7. Simplicity and clarity of administration: Fewer levels of government make the system simple to operate and free of the disputes over the division of powers common in federations.
8. Quick and flexible decision-making: A single centre of authority can respond promptly to national problems and emergencies without lengthy consultation between tiers of government.
9. Absence of demand for regional autonomy: Where component units do not press for self-government or fear domination, there is no pressure to adopt a federal structure.

For these reasons, countries such as Britain, France and Ghana operate unitary systems of government.