List of unitary states: features of the device of different countries

In a well-known world, there are more than 200 states and dependent territories. They have different political systems, differ in terms of territory, cultural and everyday way of life, attitude to religion. But the main difference in countries is due to their administrative-territorial structure. On this basis, all states are divided into unitary, federative and confederal. The first category is of the greatest interest.

The concept of a unitary state

In a broad sense, a unitary device is understood as a form of national-state organization of territories, in which all parts of the country are under the control of one system of government bodies. One system of laws, taxes and duties, without privileges and exemptions, also applies to the territory.

Unitarianism is one of three types of administrative device and the most "popular" one. At present, the list of unitary states has 85% of all countries and territories in the world. The oldest states of the world ( countries of Europe, Africa and Asia ) have such an administrative organization. It can be fixed normatively, in the Constitution ( Poland, Spain, Greece, Portugal, etc. ) or simply implied.

Kinds of states on the status of administrative units

Depending on the composition of the regions, all unitary countries are divided into the following types:

1. Simple - the state consists of regions with one status. For example, Egypt consists of 27 equal provinces, each of which is divided into districts, and those, in turn, into districts.

2. Complicated - if there are one or more territorial units with special status in the composition. At the same time, autonomy can be administrative ( another language for communication and legal proceedings ) or political ( law-making law within the region ). Quite often, the regions of the country have equal status, and the capital district is in a special situation ( Indonesia ).

In the list of unitary states with a complex device - Spain, Tajikistan, China, Denmark, Finland, etc.

Kinds of states on the way of organization of power

On the basis of governance, countries can be:

1. Centralized - authorities are formed in one way, are in strict hierarchy and subordination, acting within their authority. Among such states are Kazakhstan, Belarus and China.

2. Decentralized - elected bodies ( officials ) function in the management units of these countries and there is no administrative supervision over the lower authorities. In the list of unitary states of this type are fairly large entities - Sweden, France, Denmark, Italy, etc.

3. Mixed - the country has a centralized management system, but in selected regions with special status, elected officials or bodies operate.

Examples of sovereign countries with a unitary device

The largest hegemons in the world have a federal structure ( Russia, the United States ), but the overwhelming number of countries with a highly developed economy that play a significant role in the international arena still have an equal organization. In the 21st century, the list of unitary states is constantly changing, supplemented by new members. For example, at the end of the last century a state of Kosovo emerged, and in 2014, the People's Democratic Republic and the People's Republic of Germany were organized.

At present, the number of countries with a unitary device in parts of the world is distributed as follows:

In the list of unitary states of foreign Europe, it is worthwhile to dwell on the so-called dwarf countries ( Monaco, Luxembourg, San Marino, Liechtenstein ). They are also unitary, and many believe that there is no regional division in them. This is not entirely true, since Monaco is an urban conglomerate resulting from the merger of four districts. Administrative boundaries of the regions are preserved in the 21st century. In San Marino (an area of only 61 square kilometers) there are 9 districts called "Castelli". Luxembourg, in turn, is also divided into cantons.

The list of unitary and federal states totals 199 positions ( 171 and 28, respectively ), but under the influence of political and economic crises of recent years, this list may lead to rapid changes.