centralmakten

Centralmakten is the central authority of a country, responsible for national policy, legislation, and administration that spans the entire territory. It typically includes the executive branch, led by a head of government and a cabinet of ministries, along with the central civil service that implements laws and coordinates national programs. The centralmakten operates within a constitutional framework and interacts with other state institutions, such as the legislature, the judiciary, and central agencies.

In unitary states, centralmakten holds the majority of policy powers, with subnational authorities having limited or delegated competencies. In federal states, powers are constitutionally distributed between the central government and subnational units (such as states or provinces), with centralmakten responsible for national standards, defense, foreign affairs, and macroeconomic policy, while subnational units handle regional administration and local services under defined limits.

Key functions often associated with centralmakten include formulating national laws, setting fiscal and monetary policy, maintaining national defenses, conducting foreign affairs, and coordinating nationwide programs in areas such as transport, education, and public health. The central administration uses ministries, regulatory bodies, and public agencies to implement policy, collect taxes, and supervise compliance with national standards.

Relations with local and regional authorities are governed by principles of centralization and, in some systems, subsidiarity. Centralmakten may provide funding, set uniform rules, and exercise oversight, while subnational units manage local delivery of services. The balance between central and subnational power varies by country and over time, reflecting political, legal, and historical factors.