In political science, a unitary system of government is where power is centralized in a single authority, such as a national government. In this system, subnational entities, like states or provinces, have limited power that is delegated to them by the central government. Examples of countries with unitary systems include France and Japan. On the other hand, a federal system of government is where power is divided between a central government and various subnational entities. These subnational entities often have their own constitution and authority over certain policy areas. Examples of countries with federal systems include the United States and Germany. The main difference between the two systems is the distribution of power. In a unitary system, power is concentrated at the national level and delegated to lower levels, while in a federal system, power is shared between the national and subnational governments. This impacts things like decision-making processes, public policy implementation, and the allocation of resources. Understanding the difference between unitary and federal systems is crucial for comprehending how governments operate and make decisions, as well as how authority is distributed within a country.