08-29-2004, 02:23 PM
Honourable Delegates,
One of the many large-scale decisions we must make is whether the unified Kingdoms will be a unitary state or a federation. It is first necessary to clarify exactly what I mean by these terms. Wikipedia gives the following definitions:
One of the many large-scale decisions we must make is whether the unified Kingdoms will be a unitary state or a federation. It is first necessary to clarify exactly what I mean by these terms. Wikipedia gives the following definitions:
Quote:
A unitary state is a state or country that is governed constitutionally as one single unit, with one constitutionally created parliament. The term is the antonym of Federation. Governmental power may well be transferred to lower levels, to regionally or locally elected assemblies, governors and mayors ("devolved government"), but in a unitary state the central government has the principal right to recall such delegated power.
A federation is a state comprised of a number of self-governing regions (often themselves referred to as states) united by a central (federal) government. In a federation the self-governing status of the component states is constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision of the central government. Federations may be multi-ethnic, or cover a large area of territory, although neither is necessarily the case. Federations are often founded on an original agreement between a number of sovereign states. The component states of a federation usually do not have the right to secede unilaterally.
A federation is a state comprised of a number of self-governing regions (often themselves referred to as states) united by a central (federal) government. In a federation the self-governing status of the component states is constitutionally entrenched and may not be altered by a unilateral decision of the central government. Federations may be multi-ethnic, or cover a large area of territory, although neither is necessarily the case. Federations are often founded on an original agreement between a number of sovereign states. The component states of a federation usually do not have the right to secede unilaterally.
Among the most prominent examples of unitary states and federations are the United Kingdom and the United States, respectively. Given how much trouble our Commonwealth's lack of unity has been in recent history, I favour the unitary structure. What is the opinion of the Congress?
Sincerely,
Lord Oldenburg