Describing a system of government where all political power is concentrated in a central authority, with local governments deriving their authority from and remaining subordinate to the national government. Most of the world's nations use this centralized structure.
From Latin 'unitas' meaning 'oneness' or 'unity.' The political term emerged in 19th-century constitutional theory to distinguish centralized systems from federal arrangements.
Britain pioneered the unitary system that most democracies still use today—Parliament in London holds supreme authority, and it can theoretically abolish Scotland or Wales tomorrow! This contrasts sharply with American federalism, where states have constitutionally protected powers that Congress cannot simply eliminate.
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