Final answer:
A unitary system is a type of government where the central authority holds most of the power, with local governments under its direct control. While this can lead to cohesive governance, it also poses risks of central power becoming unaccountable. Some unitary states have decentralized over time to grant more autonomy to regional governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term unitary refers to a system of government where the central government holds the majority of the political power, and any local or regional authorities are under the direct control or authority of the central government. This system is in contrast to a federal system, where power is more evenly distributed between the central and regional governments. Countries such as the United Kingdom, France, and Japan have unitary governments. Although traditionally centralized, some unitary states have experienced decentralization over time, giving more autonomy to regional governments through a process called devolution.
In a unitary system, there are clear advantages, such as uniform laws and policies, and easier legislative processes since laws need only be passed by the national government. This can lead to more cohesive governance but can also result in disadvantages, such as the risk of the central government becoming out of touch with local issues or accruing too much power, potentially leading to tyranny. Nevertheless, in areas with strong national identity and little opposition to central control, unitary states generally function effectively. Occasionally, unitary states may offer some degree of autonomy to specific regions to address local demands, as seen in the case of Hong Kong in China or Puerto Rico in the United States.