What is the difference between Unitary Government and Federal Government?

Two of the most common ways whereby a country can be organized are the unitary and federal government. In the federal government, powers are shared within the local, regional, and central authorities; while in the unitary government, the concentration of the power is in the hands of the federal government. The unitary government aims at achieving a cohesive and unified nation, while the federal government lay down some rules and regulations to guide the operation of the governmental system of the country.

Both unitary and federal government can either operate a democracy or monarchy system of government, but the unitary government is often associated with the monarch system, while the federal government is often associated with the democracy style of government. Though there are several countries that practice the unitary government, about 27 countries have the federal government with the United States being the most popular of them all.

Unitary and federal are two types of government with many differences between them. A unitary government has all powers with one central authority. The powers in a federal government are split between central and state governments. There is no democracy in a unitary, but there is in a federal government. Another difference is in regards to the Constitution, where the federal government has one, and the unitary doesn't.

Diversity is another key difference, with the federal government being diverse and the unitary not. Ireland and Great Britan are examples of unitary governments. The United States and Australia are examples of federal governments.