Unitary state - what is it? Signs of a unitary state

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:40

The unitary form of the state is a type of state structure in which the country is divided into several administrative parts that do not have the status of state entities. But in some cases, individual regions of the country may have some degree of autonomy in decision-making. Signs of a unitary state are typical for countries that are small in area and population. But even here there is an exception in the form of China, which, despite its solid territory and huge population, is considered a unitary state. In such countries, there is a single set of laws, a single constitution and legal system. The highest governing bodies are the same for all entities in the state. At present, the vast majority of independent state entities in the world are unitary. Among such countries are Great Britain, France, Spain, Ukraine and many others. Lately, we hear especially often the mention of a unitary state. What it is, we will consider in more detail.

Unitarity asform of government

Before considering the very definition of a "unitary state" in more detail, it is necessary to mention the existing forms of government. At its core, the form of the state system is the administrative, territorial and national structure of the country, which shows the relationship between regions, local and central government bodies, as well as between different nationalities and nations living in the same territory.

In addition, the form of the state system demonstrates what subjects the state consists of, what their legal status and the degree of their interaction with each other, in what form the interests of national minorities living in the same region are expressed, and also how relations between bodies are built central government and local government.

But the specific form of government in a particular country depends on the geographical location of the regions, their national composition, as well as on a number of factors, among which are economic, social, historical and cultural.

Types of government forms

Currently, there are 3 types of forms of state-territorial system:

1. Federation. This form of state system represents the unification of several previously sovereign (or with broad autonomy within the state) countries (regions) into a single stateon a voluntary basis. The most famous examples of a federal structure are the Russian Federation (comprising 85 subjects, of which 22 republics, 4 autonomous regions and 1 autonomous region), the USA (50 states and several freely associated territories), India (29 states, the capital district and 6 union territories) and others.

2. Confederation. This form of device is a state association of several independent countries. At the same time, none of the subjects of the confederation loses its sovereignty, and has its own armed forces, monetary and legal systems. Switzerland is the only currently existing confederation (however, recently it has acquired all the signs of a federation). The EU, the Union of Russia and Belarus, the Eurasian Union are also considered to be original confederations.

3. unitary state. What it is? This question haunts millions of citizens, especially in recent times with the emergence of pockets of separatism in different countries of the world. This is a single state entity, which is divided into administrative components, each of which does not have any sovereignty and is subordinate to the central authorities. In turn, unitary states are also divided into several types.

Centralized unitary structure of the state

To unitary state formations of this type include countries in which the functions of power are carried out at the local level only by those representatives of power that are approved and agreed by the central authoritiesmanagement. At the same time, the centralized state can provide some independence to the lower local governments. The most striking examples of unitary states with a centralized structure are Great Britain and Denmark. In addition, signs of centralization are inherent in African countries, where local power belongs to tribes and clans. Although it is worth noting that today such states are quite rare.

Decentralized unitary state: what is it?

Decentralized states include those countries in which the constitution provides for the separation of central government and local government. That is, in fact, the subjects of public education can have a fairly wide autonomy, and at the same time have their own parliament, administrative structures and government. Basically, such privileges are used by large regions that were once independent or had a fairly broad independence in resolving specific issues. In addition, these regions are often united by common historical, economic, and geographical interests. The subjects of a decentralized state can independently resolve a number of issues, including economic problems, education, he alth care, public order and public utilities. In fact, the subjects are turning into separate countries of a unitary state, which are united for some reason into a single entity. To countries with brighta pronounced decentralized device can be attributed to France and Spain.

Mixed unitary states

Mixed unitary states have signs of both decentralization and centralized influence of power on the subjects of public education. In fact, mixed states include those countries, some regions of which have broad autonomy and are able to solve their tasks independently. At the same time, autonomies can establish ties with other countries, sign various cultural, social and economic memorandums. The most striking examples of unitary states of a mixed type are Italy and Norway.

States with a unitary form of organization are characterized by several distinctive features.

Internal division of unitary state entities

As a rule, each country is divided into small regions, which, in turn, are divided into smaller local government entities. The name of the regions may be different, but their meaning is the same in all countries of the world. For example, the countries of the former USSR in their division have large regions, which, in turn, are divided into districts and rural settlements (village councils). This section is not accidental. Regions are formed on the common interests of the historical past, geographical location and economic development. Such an administrative division allows the central government to control the situation throughout the country as much as possible.

Key featuresunitary countries

1.

All subjects of the state system are subject to the action of a single constitution. At the same time, the basic law can distinguish between central power and self-government, thus providing the region with some autonomy.

2. Unified state authorities. The power of the President of the country and Parliament throughout the state is undeniable. In addition, central authorities have the authority to independently appoint the heads of local self-government bodies.

3. If other nationalities (small in number) live on the territory of the state, then it is allowed to grant them some autonomy.

4. All international relations are regulated by central authorities. The subjects of the state cannot enter into international unions on their own. Only cooperation of autonomies with other state formations at the cultural and social levels is allowed.

5. The subjects of the state do not have state sovereignty, therefore, the regions do not have their own armed forces, monetary system and other elements of statehood.

6. The state language in all subjects of the state is the same.

Factors influencing the formation of a unitary state

Many people are wondering: "A unitary state: what is it, how is it formed?". Let's try to answer this question. A unitary state is formed depending on many factors. Let's take a look at some of them.

1. The predominance of a single cultural and national population on the territory of the state, which has one language, one religion, the similarity of mentality and a common history.

2. The convenience of creating a single state for economic reasons. States that have common borders with no customs barriers can unite into a unitary state formation. True, it is worth noting that this still requires a single currency, a single taxation system, a common legal system, as well as the unity of the resource potential and division of labor.

3. External pressure from third countries. With active interference in state affairs by other state associations, countries with a common border and common cultural and historical factors can unite into a single unitary state.

Factors that influence the disunity of a unitary state

To the question: “Which state is unitary?”, most people will answer that these are countries that are united in historical and cultural traditions, and do not face manifestations of disunity in society. However, this is not quite true. Unitary formations in the modern world are characterized by many problems. Among the main ones, one can distinguish the so-called separatism, that is, the demand of one region for the recognition of its state sovereignty. Consider what affects disunity within a unitary state.

1. Unprofitable association for economic reasons. Italy is a prime example in this case. In recentFor years, the northern regions of the country have been actively declaring sovereignty, this movement is especially popular in Venice. These regions are the levers of the country's economy, and subsidize the poorer southern regions.

2. Different history, culture and language of parts of the state. In this case, the most striking example is Ukraine, which consists of regions with different cultural and historical interests. So, for example, the southern and eastern regions of Ukraine have closer ties with Russia. The situation is similar in the western part of the country. So, Transcarpathia has a historical and cultural commonality with Hungary, Bukovina - with Romania, and Galicia - with Poland. But, despite such a difference in historical and cultural terms, Ukraine has signs of a unitary state.

3. Low standard of living and dissatisfaction with this fact of the population. In this case, Sudan can serve as an example. The low standard of living was the reason that the southern regions of the country, which had previously enjoyed wide autonomy, decided to secede from the main state. At the same time, it is worth noting that it is in the southern regions of Sudan that up to 60% of economic levers are concentrated. As a result, this led to the fact that a new state of South Sudan appeared on the political map of the world.

4. Low political literacy of the population, which allows the "political leaders" of the regions to actively promote the idea of creating a sovereign state.