The features of a centralized system of Government (2024)



The features of a centralized system of Government (1)

THE FEATURES OF CENTRALIZATION

Definition of centralization

Centralization can be defined as the type of government inwhich powers of government are concentrated at the centre and exercised by acentral authority.

FEATURES

Practiced in a unitary state

One of the features of a centralized system of government isthat it thrives in a unitary system of government. Ghana, Sierra Leone andBritain are all unitary states and they have adopted the centralized system ofgovernment.

Centralized planning

Another feature of centralization is that planning is done bya central governing body situated at the centre. For example, planning takesplace in a particular ministry in the capital of the country but is implementedin the regions and districts by bodies to which powers have been delegated.

Centralized power

Another feature of a centralized system of government is thatpower is vested in a single authority which is not required by law to share anypart of the power with any other authority. Even it allows any other authorityto exercise any aspect of its powers, the central government still maintainsabsolute control over the delegated power.

A single legislature

Another feature of a centralized system of government is thatit has only one legislature. It is only this legislature that has the power tomake laws for the entire country. No other body can make laws. If any otherbody makes laws, it does so because the power has been delegated to it to doso.

A single executive

It is also a feature of a centralized system of government tohave only one executive. The function of the single executive is to formulateand implement policies in order to administer the country. It has a wellstructured Civil Service to help in the implementation of its policies andprogrammes.

A single judiciary

A centralized system of government can also boast of just onejudiciary. It is structured in such a way that there are lower courts andhigher courts up to the supreme court of the land. Their main duties are toadminister justice to those whose rights have been infringed upon and tointerpret the constitution, among others.

SAMPLE QUESTIONS

1. a. Define a centralized system of government. [2 marks]

b. Highlight fivefeatures of a centralized system of government. [10 marks]

2. In what six ways can one identify a centralized system ofgovernment? [12 marks]

The features of a centralized system of Government (2024)

FAQs

The features of a centralized system of Government? ›

A centralized government

centralized government
A centralized government (also united government) is one in which both executive and legislative power is concentrated centrally at the higher level as opposed to it being more distributed at various lower level governments.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Centralized_government
is characterized by various centralized functions, with legislators responsible for the laws governing a country. The governing body consists of a few individuals that have authority over all aspects of the economy and political system.

What makes a government centralized? ›

A centralized government (also united government) is one in which both executive and legislative power is concentrated centrally at the higher level as opposed to it being more distributed at various lower level governments.

What is the main function of a centralized system? ›

In a centralized organization, the decision-making powers are retained in the head office and all other locations are directed from this main office resulting in communication flowing in a top-down manner.

Which one is the feature of Centralisation? ›

Features of centralisation in management

Top level managers concentrate and reserve the decision-making power. Execution decided by the top level management with the help from the other levels of management. Lower levels management do their jobs under direct control of the top managers.

What is a centralised system of governance? ›

What is Centralized Governance? Centralized Governance is an organizational approach in which data management and decision-making authority are concentrated within a single, central entity.

What are the features of centralization in government? ›

A centralized government is characterized by various centralized functions, with legislators responsible for the laws governing a country. The governing body consists of a few individuals that have authority over all aspects of the economy and political system.

What are the characteristics of a central government? ›

Central government typically is responsible for providing collective services for the benefit of the community as a whole, such as national defence, relations with other countries, public order and safety, and for regulating the social and economic system of the country.

What are the characteristics of a centralized organization? ›

A centralized organization is an organization that uses a hierarchy of authority, where information flows to the top for analysis, and orders flow from the top to the bottom, where lower-levels must take actions consistent with the orders.

What are the features of centralized and decentralized systems? ›

In centralized organizations, strategic planning, goal setting, budgeting, and talent deployment are typically conducted by a single, senior leader or leadership team. In contrast, in decentralized organizations, formal decision-making power is distributed across multiple individuals or teams.

What are the principles of centralization? ›

Fayol's Centralization and Decentralization Principles

Centralization means that top management retains most of the decision-making authority. Decentralization means that decision-making is distributed among all levels of the organization. This means that information is shared from the top of management downwards.

What is an example of a central government? ›

Examples: The United States federal government is an example of a central government that exercises control over smaller political units, such as states and territories. The Canadian government is another example of a central government that exercises political authority over its citizens and provinces.

What are the benefits of a centralized government? ›

Advantages of centralization

It avoids tensions amond different governments. It favours equality and consistency across regions since, in theory, decisions are taken condering the welfare of the whole country and not of a part of it. Makes more difficult the development of local clientelistic networks.

What is an example of a centralized authority? ›

A clear chain of command. The centralized authority provides an organization with a clear chain of command and leads to the execution of decisions in a unified manner. For example, the business owner or leadership becomes the one to decide on the price of the products, the target market, business expansion, etc.

What is the difference between a centralized and a decentralized government? ›

In a centralised state, the power is rested in the hands of a government at the centre, which is responsible for the decision-making and functioning of a country. While in a decentralised state, the powers and responsibilities are distributed among various others across regions.

What is considered the central government? ›

A central government is the group of people who make decisions and rules for an entire country. They have the most power and authority in the country. This group includes all the important leaders and politicians who work together to run the country.

What makes a strong central government? ›

A strong central government refers to a system where the national or federal government has significant authority and power over various aspects of governance, including making and enforcing laws, collecting taxes, maintaining armed forces, and regulating interstate commerce.

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