a unitary system

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a unitary system" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a political or organizational structure where power is concentrated in a central authority. Example: "In a unitary system, the central government holds the majority of the power, with little autonomy granted to local governments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Political Science

Government

Systems Theory

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

A unitary system of government does not necessarily imply unicameralism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is also possible that a unitary system would replace one set of problems with another.

The New York Times

It is not that Jacksonville's electoral system, which is called a unitary system, is without merits.

The New York Times

Ultimately, all local governments in a unitary system are subject to a central authority.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In a unitary system the only level of government besides the central is the local or municipal government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"In a unitary system, you have the opportunity to get the support of Democrats, Republicans and independents," said Ms. Johnson, a Republican.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

He was never a unitary, system-building philosopher, but produced sharp gems of analytical argument that brilliantly lacerated orthodoxies current in philosophy, while often simultaneously bolstering those of Catholicism.

The Guardian

Separation in their model not only means a shift from a "strong unitary system to a strong federal system" but also leads to a situation where regional governments have full discretion to provide public goods and no public goods are provided by the central government any longer, which eventually comes down to separation.

Swiss Journal of Economics and Statistics

Attention is not a single unitary system but a set of integrated processes that act on all levels of cognitive processing from sensory entry to motor exit [ 9, 11].

BMC Psychiatry

A fundamental question is whether the sense of self is represented in cortical regions that integrate and read-out "lower level" sensory-motor information, or if it is represented in a specialized, unitary system.

Plosone

"My success is a result of the unitary system," said Glorious J. Johnson, a native of Jacksonville who lived in Harlem for many years until returning home 10 years ago.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing governmental structures, clarify which powers are centralized and which, if any, are delegated to local authorities within "a unitary system".

Common error

Avoid using "a unitary system" interchangeably with a federal system. A unitary system concentrates power centrally, while a federal system divides power between a central authority and constituent political units.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a unitary system" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It denotes a specific type of organizational or governmental structure, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

25%

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a unitary system" refers to a centralized organizational structure, commonly used in political science to describe governments where the central authority holds the primary power. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. Although the phrase is relatively uncommon, it appears across a range of formal and scientific sources, news outlets, and encyclopedias. When writing about unitary systems, avoid confusing them with federal systems, which distribute power between central and regional authorities. When considering alternatives, "centralized system" and "unified system" are close semantic matches.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a centralized system

Emphasizes the concentration of power in a single central authority.

a unified system

Focuses on the integration and harmonization of different elements into one cohesive whole.

an integrated system

Highlights the interconnectedness and interdependence of components within a system.

a single system

Underscores the singularity and indivisibility of the system.

a consolidated system

Suggests the merging and strengthening of different parts into a unified structure.

a monolithic system

Implies a large, indivisible, and often rigid system.

a cohesive system

Highlights the unity and coherence of the system's elements.

a holistic system

Emphasizes the consideration of the whole system rather than individual parts.

a coordinated system

Focuses on the organized and synchronized functioning of the system.

a streamlined system

Suggests efficiency and simplicity in the system's operation.

FAQs

How does "a unitary system" differ from a federal system?

In "a unitary system", the central government holds primary authority, whereas in a federal system, power is divided between a central government and regional or state governments.

What are the advantages of "a unitary system" of government?

Advantages can include streamlined decision-making, uniform policies across the nation, and reduced administrative costs.

What are some examples of countries that operate under "a unitary system"?

Examples include the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. However, each implements its system with unique variations.

Can "a unitary system" be compatible with local autonomy?

Yes, while the central government retains ultimate authority, it can delegate certain powers to local governments, allowing for some degree of local autonomy.