A unitary system of government is characterized by a centralized authority where the national or central government holds significant power over subnational or regional governments. In this system, the central government delegates limited authority to lower levels of administration, which typically follow its directives and policies.
Key features of a unitary system include the centralization of legislative, administrative, and judicial powers in the national government, with subnational entities (such as regions, states, or provinces) having limited autonomy and authority granted by the central government. Decisions regarding laws, policies, and governance often originate from the center and are implemented uniformly across the entire country.
Countries like France and Japan have unitary systems, where the central government maintains a strong level of control over regional affairs, although they might allow certain degrees of regional autonomy or decentralization to address specific local needs.