Which of the following offers the most accurate comparison of the advantages of unitary and federal governments?
a. Federal governments require multiple bureaucracies. Unitary governments do not require bureaucracy.
b. Unitary governments only work for small countries. Federal governments only work for large countries.
c. Federal governments are more politically efficient. Unitary governments are more economically efficient.
d. Federal governments offer more personal freedom. Unitary governments have less internal division.
d. Federal governments offer more personal freedom. Unitary governments have less internal division.
This statement captures a common perception about the advantages of federal and unitary systems. In federal systems, such as that of the United States, powers are divided between central and regional governments, which can sometimes lead to greater personal autonomy at the regional level. People in different states might have different laws that better align with local values and needs. On the other hand, unitary governments, which concentrate power in a central government, tend to have more uniform policies and potentially less internal policy division or conflict, as seen in countries like France or Japan.
However, it is important to note that the advantages and disadvantages of each system can vary widely and are often more complex than this binary suggests. The effectiveness of either type of government system can depend on a variety of factors including the country's size, its cultural diversity, historical context, economic conditions, and the specific ways in which the government's powers are structured and exercised.