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

The unitary form of the state is a kind of state structure in which the country is divided into several administrative units that do not have the status of state entities. But in some cases, certain regions of the country may have some degree of independence in decision-making. Signs of a unitary state are typical for small countries and populations. 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 a legal system. The highest governing bodies are the same for all entities in the state. At present, the absolute majority of independent state entities in the world is unitary. Among such countries are the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Ukraine and many others. Recently, we especially often hear mention of a unitary state. What it is, we will consider in more detail.

Unitarity as a form of government

Before considering the definition of a "unitary state" in more detail, it is necessary to mention the existing forms of state government. In its essence, 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, and between different nationalities and nations living in the same territory.

In addition, the form of the state system demonstrates the subjects of the state, their legal status and the degree of their interaction among themselves, in what form are the interests of national minorities living in the same region expressed, and also how are relations between the central authorities and local self-government .

But the specific form of state structure in a given country depends on the geographic location of regions, their national composition, as well as on a number of factors, including economic, social, historical and cultural.

Kinds of forms of the state system

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

1. Federation. This form of the state system represents the unification of several previously sovereign (or having wide autonomy in the state) countries (regions) into a single state on a voluntary basis. The most famous examples of the federal structure are the Russian Federation (comprising 85 entities, of which 22 are republics, 4 autonomous regions and 1 autonomous region), the United States (50 states and several freely associated territories), India (29 states, metropolitan area and 6 union territories ) and others.

2. Confederation. This form of the device is a state association of several independent countries. At the same time, no one of the subjects of the confederation loses its sovereignty, and has its own armed forces, monetary and legal systems. The only existing confederation is Switzerland (but recently it acquired all the signs of a federation). Also, the EU, the Union of Russia and Belarus, the Eurasian Union consider the confederations to be peculiar.

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

The centralized unitary structure of the state

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 government. At the same time, a centralized state can provide some autonomy to the lower administrative bodies on the ground. The most striking examples of unitary states with a centralized device are the United Kingdom and Denmark. In addition, the signs of centralization are inherent in the countries of Africa, where on the ground power belongs to the tribes and clans. Although it is worth noting that for today such states are rare.

Decentralized unitary state: what is it?

Decentralized states include those countries in which the constitution provides for the delineation of bodies of central government and local self-government. That is, in fact, subjects of state education can have a fairly wide autonomy, and at the same time have their own parliament, management structures and government. Basically, such privileges are enjoyed by large regions that were once independent or possessed a fairly wide autonomy in resolving specific issues. In addition, these regions are often combined by common historical, economic, and geographical interests. The subjects of a decentralized state can independently resolve a number of issues, including economic problems, education, health care, public order and communal services. In fact, subjects are transformed into separate countries of a unitary state, which are united for some reason into a single entity. Countries with a pronounced decentralized device include France and Spain.

Mixed unitary states

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

For states with a unitary form of device, several distinctive features are characteristic.

Internal division of unitary state formations

As a rule, each country is divided into small regions, which, in turn, are divided into smaller subjects of local self-government. 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 areas, which, in turn, are divided into districts and rural settlements (village councils). This section is not accidental. Regions are formed on the community of interests of the historical past, geographical location and economic development. This administrative division allows the central authorities to control the situation as much as possible throughout the country.

Basic features of unitary countries

1. All subjects of the state system are subject to the action of a single constitution. In this case, the basic law can distinguish between central government and self-government, thus giving the region some autonomy.

2. Unified bodies of state power. The power of the president of the country and parliament throughout the state is undeniable. In addition, the central authorities have the power to independently appoint local government leaders.

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

4. All international relations are regulated by central authorities. The subjects of the state can not join the international unions independently. Only cooperation of autonomies with other state entities 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, the monetary system and other elements of statehood.

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

Factors affecting the formation of a unitary state

Many people ask the question: "Unitary state: what is it, how it is formed?". Let's try to answer this question. The unitary state is formed depending on many factors. Let's consider some of them.

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

2. Convenience of creating a unified state for economic reasons. States that share common borders with the absence of customs barriers can unite into a unitary state entity. True, it is worth noting that this requires a single currency, a unified system of taxation, a common legal system, as well as a unity of resource potential and division of labor.

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

Factors that affect the disunity of a unitary state

To the question: "Which state is unitary?", The majority of people will answer that these are countries that are united by historical and cultural traditions, and do not face manifestations of disunity in society. However, this is not quite true. For unitary formations in the modern world, many problems are typical. Among the main ones, so-called separatism, that is, the requirement of one region to recognize its state sovereignty, can be singled out. Consider what affects the disunity within a unitary state.

1. Unfavorable combination for economic reasons. A good example in this case is Italy. In recent years, the northern regions of the country are actively declaring their sovereignty, especially this movement is popular in Venice. These regions are 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. In the western part of the country the situation is similar. 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 inherent signs of a unitary state.

3. Low standard of living and discontent with this fact of the population. In this case, Sudan can be cited as an example. A low standard of living has caused the southern regions of the country, which previously had wide autonomy, decided to secede from the main state. It should be noted 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 emergence of a new state on the political map of the world, Southern Sudan.

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