Typical Characteristics

Typical characteristics - Sovereignty ?

Federal States: Divided → Federal and State

Unitary States: National

Typical characteristics - Constitution present ?

Federal States: Federal and State level

Unitary States: National level

Typical characteristics - Vertical division of powers ?

Federal States: In the federal Constitution

Unitary States: National legislator decides

Typical characteristics - Taxing and spending powers ?

Federal States: In the federal Constitution

Unitary States: National legislator decides

Typical characteristics - State participation in federal law making ?

Federal States: Yes, through senate/federal council and/or ratification

Unitary States: No

Typical characteristics - Supremacy of Law ?

Federal States: Federal law supreme

Unitary States: National law supreme

Typical characteristics - Bicameralism ?

Federal States: Yes

Unitary States: No, or not related

Typical characteristics - Constitutional review ?

Federal States: Yes, of division of powers

Unitary States: No, or not related

Typical characteristics - Regional judiciary ?

Federal States: Yes, State judiciary

Unitary States: Judiciary not decentralised

Typical characteristics - Federal/national oversight ?

Federal States: Very, very limited

Unitary States: Yes

Typical characteristics - (A)symmetrical versions ?

Federal States: Both occur

Unitary States: Both occur