Yhtenäisvaltiot

Yhtenäisvaltiot refers to a unitary state in political science. In this form of government, the central government holds supreme authority, and any administrative divisions (such as provinces or regions) exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate to them. These subnational entities do not possess inherent sovereignty or autonomy. The central government can create, abolish, or alter these administrative units at its discretion.

Examples of yhtenäisvaltiot include France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. In contrast to federations, where power is constitutionally divided between a central government and constituent political units, a yhtenäisvaltio concentrates power within the national government. While local or regional governments may exist, their authority is subordinate to the central government and can be revoked. This structure often allows for more uniform policy implementation across the entire country and can lead to greater efficiency in decision-making, though it may also be criticized for potentially neglecting regional diversity or specific local needs. The degree of decentralization can vary significantly even within yhtenäisvaltiot, with some allowing for substantial local autonomy in practice.