Identify the characteristics of a unitary system and a federal system, and provide examples of each.

Answer: A unitary system is one in which power can be granted to or taken back from regions by a decision of central authority without the involvement of the regions themselves while a federal system is one in which there is division of power between a federal government and sub-federal governments (most times state and local governments)

Explanation: characteristics of unitary system include:

1. central government has sovereignty over what happens at every sub-level

2. sub level competencies are defined by statute and not enshrined in the written constitution

3. There is no direct participation of sub-levels in constitutional amendments

Characteristics of federal system include:

1. federal laws supercede state laws

2. federal laws must be applied by state courts

3. federal powers are limited and state powers are protected by the constitution

4. There's representation of states in parliament and states actively participate in constitutional amendments

Example of governments practising unitary system is the United Kingdom, Norway, Romania and Israel while federal system is practised in the United States, Canada, Germany and Australia.