Final answer:
The U.S., Canada, and Switzerland have federal systems, characterized by a division of power between central and local governments. France, Finland, and Italy have unitary systems with centralized authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States, Canada, and Switzerland are described as having a federal system of government, while France, Finland, and Italy are examples of a unitary system of government.
In a federal system, authority is divided between central and state or provincial governments, with both levels deriving power from the people. This system is marked by a sharing of power between the central government and subnational entities.
France, Finland, and Italy, on the other hand, have unitary systems where the national central government holds the predominant power, and any local governments primarily serve to implement the policies and decisions made by the central authority. Unitary systems allow for uniform laws and policies throughout the nation and a simplified legislative process.