Yhtenäisvaltiossa

Yhtenäisvaltiossa refers to a unitary state in political science. In a unitary system, the central government holds supreme authority, and any administrative divisions or sub-national governments exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate. These sub-national entities, such as provinces or regions, do not have constitutionally protected powers and can be created, altered, or abolished by the central government at its discretion.

This contrasts with federal systems, where power is divided between a central government and constituent political units (like states or provinces) that have constitutionally guaranteed autonomy. In a unitary state, the will of the central government is paramount, and there is a single, unified source of political authority. While sub-national governments exist, they function primarily as administrative arms of the central government, implementing its policies and laws. Examples of unitary states include France, Japan, and the United Kingdom, though the latter has undergone significant devolution, granting considerable powers to its constituent countries. The degree of centralization can vary, with some unitary states being more decentralized in practice than others, but the fundamental principle of ultimate central authority remains.