A unitary state, also known as a unitary government, is a system where one main government holds all the power and control over its smaller political parts. In this system, the central government often gives some authority to these smaller units and instructs them on how to carry out policies. The central government can also create or remove these smaller units, and these units only have the powers that the central government decides to give them. China and the United Kingdom are examples of unitary states.
In contrast to a federal state where power is shared between the central government and its smaller parts, a unitary state puts all local governments under the control of the central government. This system gives one clear and supreme authority, which is the central government.