Understanding the System of Government in India

System of Government

In India, under the system of government powers are distributed among different levels and parts of the state. The use of powers and how powers are distributed within the state are studied by political scientists.

The system of government in the state is determined by the amount of power held by the central government. Different countries follow different types of government systems. In India, the government is divided into three main systems today: The unitary system, the Confederate system, and the Federal system.

Different type of Systems of Government

Below are the different types of systems that are followed in different countries of the world.

The Unitary System

In the unitary system of government, the central act as a single power that controls the whole government of the state. Central is the sole functional body and all the authorities and administrative divisions lie within it.

Today, most nations follow the unitary system of government in the world. The unitary system follows the same set of laws and uniformity in the whole nation. Some of the nations that follow a unitary system of government are Italy, Spain, Saudi Arabia, China, etc. Below are the features of Unitary System

Concentration of Powers

All the powers of the administrations are controlled under the central authority. Central is the independent body and can divide the states into small units when needed.

Single Government

There is a single set of governments under a unitary system. There is a single supreme legislature, executive, and supreme judiciary. For example: In the US there is a single parliament that acts as a legislature, the judicial committee as a judiciary body, and the king in council as an executive body.

Unwritten/ written constitution

In a unitary system of government the constitution is sometimes written or non-written. It is a mixed form of constitution.

Flexible/rigid

The constitution can be flexible or sometimes rigid. For example, the constitution of France is partially rigid, but the constitution of England is flexible.

The Federal System

In the federal system of government, powers are given to the elected members of the state. This can be done in countries by different methods, either by any institution or power prescribed by the constitution of the state.

The federal system is opposite to the unitary system of government. In this form of government, states enjoy few rights as an independent state. International dealings like foreign affairs, national security, international diplomacy are only done by the federal government.

In the federal system, power is shared between the state itself and the federation government. Policies of defence and budget are solely handled by the federal government. Features of the Federal System are as follows.

Division of powers

In this, the administrative power is divided between the centre and other units of the state. In a federation government, both centre and state are independent in their own spheres of power.

Separate government

Under the federal system of government, both centre and state have their own set of government rules and laws. There is a separate legislature and executives for the states.

Written Constitution

There is a written constitution under the federal system of government.

Rigid Constitution

In a federal system of government the constitution is more rigid, which is not easily amended because a flexible constitution allows the central government to restrain the autonomy.

The Confederal System

In a confederal system of government, the state or regional government has all the powers under them. This shows that the member-state in the confederation is more powerful than that of the central system of government. In the political system of any county, if the state is sovereign, it will result in a confederation. Features of the Con-federal System of Government are listed below.

Flexible Constitution

In the confederal system, the constitution is flexible, but the centre is weak.

Separate Diplomatic Representative

All the ambassadors and immigration departments are controlled by the state.

Rules and laws

Citizens need to obey their own state government.

No Executive Authority

There are no authorities over the delegates to discuss national issues like security, defence, and trade. 

Conclusion

In India, under the system of government, powers are distributed among different levels and parts of the state. The use of powers and how powers are distributed within the state are studied by political scientists. In the unitary system of government, the central act as a single power that controls the whole government of the state.

Central is the sole functional body and all the authorities and administrative divisions lie within it. In the federal system of government, powers are given to the elected members of the state. In a confederal system of government, the state or regional government has all the powers under them.