Unitary state

A sovereign state in which the central government holds ultimate authority. Regional governments exercise powers delegated by the center, which can alter or withdraw them.

Federal state: A sovereign state in which constitutional authority is divided between a national government and constituent governments. Unlike a unitary state, its constituent governments hold constitutionally protected powers the national government cannot simply withdraw.
Centralization: The concentration of decision-making authority in a central institution or government. It describes the concentration of authority that can characterize a unitary state, though unitary states vary in practice.
France: A sovereign republic in Western Europe with a unitary constitutional structure and elected regional and local authorities. France illustrates a unitary state that has expanded regional responsibilities while retaining central constitutional authority.
Westphalian sovereignty: A principle of international order that treats states as sovereign authorities over their territories. The concept of a single sovereign state helps explain the unitary state's claim to ultimate central authority.
Fiscal centralization: The concentration of taxation and public-spending authority in a central government. Central control over revenue can limit regional discretion even when local institutions administer services.
Confederation: A political union in which member states retain sovereignty and delegate limited powers to a common institution. It places ultimate authority in member states rather than in a central government.
Local government: Public administration by authorities responsible for a subnational area, such as a municipality or county. Local councils may deliver services under powers and rules set by the central state.
Japan: A sovereign island country in East Asia organized as a unitary constitutional monarchy. Its prefectures exercise local powers within a national constitutional and legal framework.
French Revolution: A period of political upheaval in France beginning in 1789 that ended the monarchy and transformed state institutions. Revolutionary centralization helped establish a model of uniform national authority and administration.
Public service: A service provided or funded by government to meet public needs. Central standards can make services more uniform, while regional administration adapts their delivery.

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