Unitary State
A form of government where power is concentrated in the central government with little or no authority given to subnational units.
Federal State
A form of government that disperses significant authority among subnational units, allowing them to govern themselves.
Subnational Units
Smaller administrative divisions within a state, such as states in the U.S. or provinces in Canada.
Centrifugal Forces
Factors that threaten the cohesion of a neighborhood, society, or country.
Nationalism
A strong sense of belonging to and identifying with a national culture.
Decentralization
The process of dispersing authority from a central government to subnational units.
Sovereign State
A political entity represented by a centralized government that has sovereignty over a geographic area.
Administrative Powers
Authority possessed by government entities to manage public affairs and enforce laws within their jurisdiction.
Ethnic Divisiveness
Conflicts and tensions arising within a society based on ethnic divisions.
Centralized Government
A system where decisions and authority are concentrated at the national level.
Ethnic Groups
Communities of people who share a common cultural background, language, or heritage.
Provinces
Subnational divisions used in some countries, like Canada, to govern regional affairs.
Parliamentary Government
A democratic form of government where the executive branch derives its legitimacy from the legislature.