Let's consider the main distinctive features of a unitary state:
1. The entirety of state power is concentrated at the level of the state as a whole, territorial parts do not have autonomy;
2. Public authorities are built in the form of a single hierarchical system with subordination to one center (the legislative body has a unicameral structure);
3. a single tier system of legislation (there is a single constitution at the national level);
4. Presence of a single citizenship;
5. The subjects of the state have no state sovereignty, therefore, the regions do not have their own armed forces, monetary system and other elements of statehood;
6. The state language is the same in all the subjects of the state.
So, as we see the unitary state is far enough away from the ideal. But then why does it still manage to preserve the palm of superiority? Let's try to understand how a unitary state is formed and what factors contribute to it.
First of all, unitarism is formed on the territory of the state, where the population is unified in its culture and national composition, which has one language, one religion, similarity of mentality and common history.
Second, the economy. States that share common borders with no customs barriers can unite into a unitary state formation. However, it should be noted that this still requires a single currency, a single taxation system, a common legal system, as well as the unity of resource potential and division of labor.
Third, external pressure from third countries. In case of active interference in the state affairs of other state associations, countries with a common border and common cultural and historical factors can unite into a single unitary state.
In modern conditions, the principle of unitarism in the construction of the state is undergoing significant changes. This is reflected in the fact that administrative-territorial units with some autonomy are created within unitary states.
It is also impossible not to mention the problems of unitary states. Special attention is paid to the so-called separatism, i.e. The requirement of one region to recognize its state sovereignty. This issue has always been in the first place in unitary states. And as history shows us, this issue has been quietly and repeatedly raised in different parts of the world and with different forces.
Thus, for example, in recent years we can hear more and more often that the northern regions of Italy, especially Venice, claim sovereignty. As these regions are the main levers of the economy and subsidize the poorer southern regions. There is economic discontent. Rich regions do not want to feed the poor.
Different history, culture and language of parts of the state. This is also the case. The most striking example of this on today's world map is Ukraine. The regions of this country have different cultural and historical interests. Eastern regions of Ukraine have closer ties with Russia. Western Ukraine is heterogeneous in this respect: Transcarpathia has historical and cultural community with Hungary, Bukovina - with Romania, and Galicia - with Poland. And the result of this conflict is a military confrontation, which has lasted for more than two years. Although the newly created republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are not recognized by the majority of countries, it is difficult to predict how events will develop further.
One cannot but dwell on such a moment as the low standard of living and dissatisfaction of the population with this fact. In this case, the Sudan can be cited as an example. The low standard of living has led to the fact that the southern regions of the country, which previously enjoyed wide autonomy, have decided to secede from the main state. It is worth noting that it is in the southern regions of Sudan that up to 60% of the economic leverage is concentrated. As a result, this has led to the fact that a new state - South Sudan - has appeared on the political map of the world.
In conclusion, it can be noted that a unitary state is an integral centralized state, the administrative-territorial units of which (provinces, provinces, districts, etc.) do not have the status of state entities, do not have sovereign rights. A unitary state has a number of distinctive features
There are several types of unitary states: centralized and decentralized.
A unitary state is unique. For thousands of years, it has been the main form of state structure, since most of the existing and existing states are unitary. This is primarily due to the fact that the unitary state is well governed, and the unitary form ensures the state unity reliably enough.