APComp: Unit 1, Political Systems, Regimes, Governments - Federal vs Unitary Systems, Distribution of Power, Centralization, Devolution

What This Means

A federal system and a unitary system are two types of government structures that determine how power is distributed between the central government and smaller regional units. This concept matters because it affects how decisions are made, laws are enforced, and citizens' rights are protected. For example, in the United States (not an AP Comp course country, but a well-known federal system), the federal government has the power to make national laws, while individual states have some autonomy to create their own laws and policies.

Key Terms & Concepts

• Federalism: A system where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional units, such as states or provinces.
  • Example: Canada has a federal system, where the federal government makes national laws, while provinces have some autonomy to create their own laws and policies.
• Unitary System: A system where power is concentrated in a central government, with little or no autonomy for regional units.
  • Example: France has a unitary system, where the central government has complete control over all aspects of governance.
• Decentralization: The process of transferring power and decision-making authority from a central government to regional units.
  • Example: In Mexico, the government has decentralized power to local municipalities, giving them more autonomy to make decisions on issues like education and healthcare.
• Centralization: The process of concentrating power and decision-making authority in a central government.
  • Example: In Russia, the government has centralized power, with the president holding significant control over all aspects of governance.
• Devolution: The transfer of power and decision-making authority from a central government to regional units, often as a result of a constitutional change.
  • Example: In the UK, devolution has given Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland more autonomy to make decisions on issues like healthcare and education.
• Constitutional Amendment: A change to a country's constitution that can alter the distribution of power between the central government and regional units.
  • Example: In China, the government has made several constitutional amendments to consolidate power and reduce regional autonomy.
• Electoral Threshold: A minimum percentage of votes required for a party to win seats in a legislative body.
  • Example: In Germany, there is an electoral threshold of 5%, meaning that parties must win at least 5% of the vote to win seats in the Bundestag.
• Number of Chambers: The number of legislative bodies in a country's government.
  • Example: In the US, there are two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
• Separation of Powers: The division of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
  • Example: In the US, the separation of powers is enshrined in the Constitution, with the legislative branch making laws, the executive branch enforcing laws, and the judicial branch interpreting laws.

How This Works in Practice

• In a federal system, regional units have a significant amount of autonomy to make decisions on issues like education and healthcare.
  • Example: In the US, individual states have the power to create their own laws and policies on issues like education and healthcare.
• In a unitary system, the central government has complete control over all aspects of governance.
  • Example: In France, the central government has complete control over all aspects of governance, with little or no autonomy for regional units.
• In a country with a federal system, a vote of no confidence can force a prime minister to resign.
  • Example: In Canada, a vote of no confidence can force the prime minister to resign, allowing the governor general to appoint a new prime minister.
• In a country with a unitary system, the president or prime minister has significant control over all aspects of governance.
  • Example: In Russia, the president has significant control over all aspects of governance, with little or no autonomy for regional units.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: A federal system is the same as a unitary system.
  • Correction: A federal system is a system where power is divided between a central government and smaller regional units, while a unitary system is a system where power is concentrated in a central government.
  • Why: This is a common misunderstanding because both systems involve a central government, but the key difference is the level of autonomy given to regional units.
• Misunderstanding: Decentralization is the same as devolution.
  • Correction: Decentralization is the process of transferring power and decision-making authority from a central government to regional units, while devolution is the transfer of power and decision-making authority from a central government to regional units, often as a result of a constitutional change.
  • Why: This is a common misunderstanding because both concepts involve the transfer of power from a central government to regional units, but the key difference is the context and process of the transfer.
• Misunderstanding: A constitutional amendment is the same as a constitutional change.
  • Correction: A constitutional amendment is a specific change to a country's constitution, while a constitutional change can refer to any change to a country's constitution, including amendments.
  • Why: This is a common misunderstanding because both concepts involve changes to a country's constitution, but the key difference is the specificity and scope of the change.

Quick Comparison Table

Last-Minute Exam Cram

• A federal system is not the same as a confederation (a loose association of states).
• The UK has a unitary system with some devolution to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
• China has a unitary system with a high level of centralization.
• The US has a federal system with a separation of powers.
• Germany has a federal system with a high level of decentralization.
• Russia has a unitary system with a high level of centralization.
• A constitutional amendment can alter the distribution of power between the central government and regional units.
• The number of chambers in a legislative body can affect the balance of power between different branches of government.
• Separation of powers is a key feature of federal systems.
• Devolution can be a result of a constitutional change or a policy decision.
• Decentralization can be a result of a policy decision or a constitutional change.
• A unitary system can have a high level of centralization or decentralization.