A
unitary state is a
sovereign state governed as one single unit in which the
central government is supreme and any
administrative divisions (subnational units) exercise only powers that the central
government chooses to delegate. Many states in the world have a unitary
system of government.
Unitary states are contrasted with federal states (federations)
Most countries with the Westminster system of government are unitary states except Australia , Canada and Malaysia, which have federal systems. These nations may be considered hybrids of both systems, employing the centrality of the unitary system at the federal level, and the sharing of power with states, provinces and territories found in federal systems.
Devolution (like federation) may be symmetrical, with all subnational units having the same powers and status, or asymmetric, with regions varying in their powers and status.
