How is federal government better than a unitary government? Explain wi...
(i) Federalism is a system of government under which power is divided between a central authority and its various constituent units. Whereas in a unitary government all the powers are in the hands of a central authority,
(ii) The Belgium leaders tried to solve the ethnic problem by respecting the feelings and interests of different communities and regions by establishing a federal government, whereas the Sri Lankan government tried to solve the problem through majoritarianism.
(iii) The Belgium solution helped in avoiding the civic strife, whereas the majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to the civil war.
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How is federal government better than a unitary government? Explain wi...
Introduction:
Federal government and unitary government are two forms of governance that differ in terms of power distribution and decision-making authority. While a unitary government concentrates power at the central level, a federal government divides power between the central and regional or state governments. In this response, we will explore how federal government is better than unitary government, using Belgium and Sri Lanka as examples.
1. Power Sharing and Autonomy:
- In a federal government, power is shared between the central government and regional or state governments, allowing for greater autonomy and decision-making authority at the regional level.
- Belgium is a federal country where power is divided between the federal government and three regional governments (Flanders, Wallonia, and Brussels). This allows for regional governments to address specific regional issues and cater to the needs and aspirations of different linguistic and cultural communities.
2. Accommodation of Diversity:
- Federal governments often provide a better framework for accommodating diversity within a country, as they allow for the recognition and protection of different linguistic, cultural, and ethnic groups.
- Belgium is a prime example of a federal government successfully accommodating diversity. The country has distinct linguistic communities, with Dutch-speaking Flemish in Flanders, French-speaking Walloons in Wallonia, and a bilingual community in Brussels. The federal system ensures that the interests and rights of each linguistic community are respected and protected.
3. Regional Development:
- Federal governments can promote regional development by providing resources and decision-making authority to regional governments. This helps in addressing regional imbalances and disparities.
- Sri Lanka, although primarily a unitary state, has a devolved power structure with nine provincial councils. This decentralization allows for regional development initiatives and decision-making to address the specific needs of different regions, such as infrastructure development and economic growth.
4. Power Check and Balance:
- Federal governments provide a system of checks and balances, preventing the concentration of power in a single authority. This ensures that decision-making is more inclusive and democratic.
- In Belgium, the federal government and regional governments have their respective legislative and executive powers, providing a system of checks and balances. This helps prevent any one authority from dominating the governance process and ensures a fair representation of diverse interests.
Conclusion:
Federal governments, as demonstrated by Belgium and Sri Lanka, offer several advantages over unitary governments. They promote power sharing, accommodate diversity, facilitate regional development, and establish checks and balances. These factors contribute to more inclusive governance, protection of regional interests, and a fair representation of diverse communities.
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