A unitary State is one in which the supreme governmental authority is vested by the constitution in a single central government which rules the whole country. For administrative convenience, the country is divided into various provinces, cantons or departments, with their own local administrative bodies. But these local governments exercise only such governmental powers as are delegated to them by the central government. In other words, the relations between the central government and the local governments in a unitary State are those of subordination and under central administrative control.
All powers of the State are concentrated in the central government. The local administrative bodies exercise only delegated authority. The central government also determines when and how much of the authority shall be delegated to the local bodies, and even what shall be their territorial boundaries and departmental structures and functions. Thus, in a unitary State, the local governments have no autonomy. They are mero administrative agents of the central government. As the latter exercis* supreme and final powers, the constitution, of a unitary State is not suprem’ and rigid. England, France, Italy, Irari, etc., are the example of unitary States.
Merits
The great merit of the unitary form of government is its strength and vigour. The central government, with its vast powers and control ov local administrations, can deal effectively and vigorously with all questions, internal and foreign. It checks centrifugal forces and saves administration from disruption. The strength of the centralised unitary State is especially manifested in foreign policy and national defence.
Another advantage of this form of government lies in the uniformity of laws, policy and administration throughout the country, because there are no autonomous units in it, as they are in a federal State. Finally, the unitary State is simple in organisation, as there is a single administrative system to execute laws and policy. This saves money. It is, therefore, less expensive form of government than the federal one.
Demerits
Modern experience has shown that large territorial States, with their great diversity of culture, language and tradition, cannot be effectively nnd efficiently governed from a single centre. These conditions demand a Irdcral form of government. A centralised, unitary government is inclined to disregard local needs and interests. It is partly because it is situated far nway in the capital, but mainly because it has neither knowledge nor contact with local conditions and affairs. Concentration of power tends to make the central government despotic.
The subordinate position of the local government deprives them of initiative and time to devote to local affairs without first getting orders or powers from the superior central authority. Central authority impairs the vitality of llie local governments, and facilitates the development of a centralized bureaucracy. Really, a unitary State suits a small country, while for a large territorial States the federal form of State is more suitable.