Difference between Federal and Unitary form of governmentFederal Unitary

1. Powers are distributed between the central and state government.

1. All powers are concentrated in one central authority.

2. There is an independent judiciary to resolve conflicts between the center and the state.

2. There is no such mechanism in unitary government.

3. In this government citizens have to obey two sets of laws.

3. In this government unitary system of law prevails.

4. In a federal government the constitution is the outcome of an agreement and it can only be amended by a special procedure.

4. In a unitary form of government the constitution is not the outcome of an agreement and can be changed by its own supreme authority. 

5. In a federal form of government there are separate legislatures at the central and state levels.

5. A unitary government has a supreme central legislature.

6. There is a fear of separation in federal government.

6. There is a promotion of national integration.

7. There is no stability in this type of government.

7. Government is stable.

8. There constitution is rigid because there is no room for amendment.

8. There constitution is flexible.

9. Their territory is united in diversity.

9. Their territory is not diverse.

10.This government is democratic. 10. This government is non- democratic in nature.

11.There is political awareness in this government.

11. There is no political awareness.

12.A federal government must have a written constitution.

12. A unitary government may or may not have a written constitution. 

13. A special judiciary with wide powers must be needed.

13. There is no need of having a special judiciary with wide powers of judicial veto in a unitary government.