The Advantages of a Unitary State – Sinaumed’s, you surely know that NKRI stands for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. right? However, do you understand what the meaning of a unified state is like? Then, what’s the difference with the others? What are the advantages of the unitary state compared to other models of government? On this occasion, it is our turn to review the advantages of a unitary state. Come on Sinaumed’s, let’s look at the reviews below.
Forms of Government of Countries in the World
Until now, there are nearly 200 countries that are members of the United Nations or the United Nations. Not to mention the added state under the umbrella of other countries and dependent. The countries in this world are currently divided into two forms of state, namely the unitary state and the federated state.
However, before we discuss these two systems, and in particular enter into the discussion of the advantages of a unitary state, it would not hurt us to review the development of the form of the state from time to time. No need to be long, let’s just summarize briefly, Sinaumed’s.
In ancient Greece, the form of the state was divided into three, namely monarchy (only one person held power), oligarchy (state power held by several people), and democracy (power held by the people). Meanwhile, Plato’s scholar at that time also expressed his views on the form of the state, namely:
- Aristocracy: government by aristocrats or scholars.
- Timocracy: government by people who want to achieve honor and fame.
- Oligarchy: government by wealthy people who own particulars.
- Democracy: government by the people.
- Tyranny: government that is run by someone arbitrarily.
Not only Plato, another scientist named Aristotle also shared his views on the forms of the state. The following is Aristotle’s view:
- Monarchy: government run by one person for the benefit of the people.
- Tyranny: government run by one person for his own benefit.
- Aristocracy: government run by a group of intellectuals for the benefit of the people.
- Oligarchy: government by a group of people for their own benefit.
- Plutocracy: government by a group of rich people for the benefit of the rich.
- Politea: government by all people for the benefit of the people.
- Democracy; government by people who know nothing about government.
While in the Middle Ages, the form of the state was narrowed into two, namely the republic and the kingdom. A country whose head of state is determined by law and is based on the will of many people is called a republic. If the country’s head of state is determined by a certain person or people, then the country is called a kingdom.
At present, the form of the state is also divided into two, namely the unitary state and federation. We will discuss the explanation of these two forms of state in more detail in the following paragraphs.
The Unitary State Reaffirms the Ideas of the Founding Fathers of the State
Unitary state
A unitary state can be defined as a sovereign state and its administration is carried out as a single entity. In a unitary state, the central government has supreme power. Meanwhile, its sub-national units, let’s call them regional governments, only exercise powers that have been given and determined by the central government to become delegates.
The unitary state, in general, is divided into two types, namely the first, the centralized unitary state which was practiced in the New Order era. The local government only follows the instructions and directions from the central government which regulates everything.
Second, a unitary state with a decentralized system. This model allows regional heads appointed by the central government to carry out policies in accordance with the regional autonomy they make without crossing the boundaries set by the central government. This system is practiced in post-reform Indonesia.
Examples of unitary states are Indonesia, Afghanistan, Albania, the Netherlands, Brunei Darussalam, Denmark, the Philippines, Finland, Japan, the Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sweden, Singapore, Spain, and many other countries.
Federated States
Meanwhile, a federated state or a union state can be interpreted as a combined state consisting of several states that form an association. Initially, these countries were independent, independent and sovereign states. By joining the union state, the country automatically relinquishes some of its power and authority and then hands it over to the union state.
The process of handing over power from the states to the union state is known as limitative (restriction), which means that the union state only controls the powers conferred by the states (delegated powers). Thus, the union state could not regulate all state policies. It’s just that, in subsequent developments, the union state regulates matters that are strategic in nature, such as security, national defense, and foreign policy policy.
The difference between a unitary state and a federated state
To make it easier for you to understand the differences between a unitary state and a federated or unionized state, we will write a summary as follows:
1. Government Institutions
The unitary state has a constitutionally constituted legislature. Meanwhile, federated countries have a senate institution that functions as a direct representative of each state. To administer legislative matters within their state, each state has its own legislature.
2. Political Power
In a unitary state, political power can be followed up and decided by a lower level government than the central government. However, basic rights and restrictions on carrying out policies are still controlled by the central government.
Whereas in a federated state, because the powers conferred by the states are only partially (not entirely), the central government cannot withdraw the rights and powers inherent in the states.
3. The Rule of Law
The unitary state has regional regulations that are bound by state law. Whereas in federated states, state laws are not bound by union state laws.
4. Legislators
The unitary state has laws for local government set by the central government. Whereas in a federated state, there is a pouvoir constituent, namely the authority to draw up a constitution and regulate its own organization within the limits of the federal constitution.
5. Government System
The unitary state has the freedom to apply a centralized system (local governments do not have the power to regulate their own regions) or decentralized (local governments can manage their own regions). While federated states, state governments and the central government have the same rights, but have different areas of responsibility.
6. Degree of Centralization
The unitary state has a high degree of centralization, so it has the right to intervene in local governments. On the other hand, a federated state has lower centralization because it is limited by the existence of powers that cannot be withdrawn by the central government.
7. Citizen Relations with the Central Government
In a unitary state, all citizens from any region can be connected to the central government. Meanwhile in a federated state, citizens are very dependent on what is a component of the country in which the person is located. Therefore, a police officer in the United States in a certain area, if he goes to another area outside his home area, will automatically become an ordinary civilian.
8. Case Handling
In emergency cases, unitary states tend to be more responsive. Meanwhile, federated countries are very concerned about formalities and legal aspects in making every decision. This sometimes takes a long time, making federated states less responsive than unitary states.
9. Regional Regulations
In a unitary state, each region may have laws called regional regulations and regional regulations must be bound by state laws. Meanwhile in federated countries, regional regulations are not bound by state laws except those that have been mutually agreed upon.
10. DPRD Policy
In a unitary state, the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) does not have veto power over state laws passed by the central government’s DPR. Whereas in federated countries, the DPRD has a veto right in determining state laws that are passed by the state DPR.
11. APBN and APBD expenses
In a unitary state, spending on the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) and the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) is calculated based on comparison. Whereas in federated countries, both are calculated based on division.
12. State Sovereignty
Every region in the unitary state does not have sovereignty. Meanwhile, each region in a federated state is recognized for its sovereignty and is considered equal.
13. Natural Resources Agreement (SDA)
There is no agreement between regions if there are natural resources (SDA) or human resources (HR) involved in the unitary state system. Meanwhile, if it is involved in a federated state, there is an inter-regional agreement.
14. National Holiday Policy
In a unitary state, recognized holidays are holidays determined by the central government or national holidays. While in federated countries, there are two kinds of holidays, namely national holidays and regional holidays.
15. National Flag Policy
In a unitary state, the flag that is recognized is only the national flag. Whereas in a federated state, the national and regional flags are recognized and their position is equal. Therefore, the hoisting of regional flags in Indonesia may not be higher than the national red and white flag. If deemed disturbing national stability, regional flags are taken down.
16. Authority of Head of State
In a unitary state, only the president/king/head of state has the authority to govern the country. Whereas in a federated state, the president/king/head of state has the authority to regulate the central government and the regions have the authority to regulate local government. Thus, in a federated state, the head of state does not have full rights and authority over all areas.
Bicameral Parliament in the Unitary State
The Advantages of the Unitary State
If you pay attention to some of these comparisons, maybe you can analyze what are the advantages of a unitary state. In the book The Unitary State in Theoretical Discourse, Dr. Ni’matul Huda, as a writer, conveyed the opinion of Fred Isjwara who stated that a unitary state has the most solid form of statehood compared to a union or federation state.
In a unitary state, there are elements of union (unity) and unity (unity) at the same time. This is because the unitary state is a single country that is separated as a federation. Therefore, it is not surprising that the unitary state has a very sturdy form.
But to make it easier, let’s just review it together, Sinaumed’s. Following are the advantages of a unitary state:
- The creation of the same rules for all citizens in every region in the country. Thus, the enforced law is fairer for all parties. Not only that, the same rules can increase unity and integrity among citizens.
- Decision making in a unitary state is relatively faster. This is because no region has absolute freedom to determine its policy. If the country is in an emergency, the central government has the authority to intervene to save the country.
- The central government has full responsibility for development throughout the country. This resulted in a more even implementation of national development among regions.
- The diversity of countries in terms of ethnicity, race, religion and class is easier to unite because they work together to advance a single country. There is no partition between citizens because they are not separated by the federation.
- A country with an area that is not too large fits this form of country because there is nothing to separate.
The central government can save funds because each region has an APBD. This makes the central government’s responsibility for funding lighter.
The Unitary State can Unify the Elements
Even though there are no partitions between regions, apart from regional autonomy, it does not mean that all the differences in the unitary state have disappeared. The existence of differences shows the diversity and richness of the country. It’s just that, the form of a unitary state should be able to unite differences without having to make the original identity also disappear.
Indonesia, with its culture and values that have been upheld so far, is a good example as a unitary state. For example, in a residential complex there are people with different races and ethnicities. There are those from Java, Batak, Papua, Dayak, Madura, Sundanese, and so on. This diversity deserves to be addressed wisely.
The unitary state format makes it easier for these differences to unite because of the same rules, the same values, the same laws, rights and obligations as citizens of the same country. Unlike the case with federal countries where each state has different rules. Even though there is regional autonomy in several unitary states, this freedom is still limited by policies set by the central government.
Even though they are required to unite as a nation and state, each race and tribe maintains its own identity. So that the uniqueness of each is maintained and mutually reinforcing one another. The struggle after the proclamation in order to defend Indonesia’s independence is one proof that we can witness. Where during the November 10, 1945 war in Surabaya, reinforcements came from various ethnicities and races, even including some citizens of Arab and Chinese descent, to help the Suroboyo children.
Why Are There Special Regions in Indonesia?
Maybe some of the Sinaumed’s are wondering about the special regions (DI) in Indonesia, namely DI Aceh and DI Yogyakarta. Why are both referred to as special regions? How is DI different from states that are in a federated state?
In the book Ten Years of the Special Region of Aceh written by the perpetrator of the history of independence, Teuku Alibasjah Talsya, it is stated that Aceh has special privileges within the Indonesian state in terms of practicing religion (Islamic law), customs and education. This status was given because Aceh had great services in the struggle for Indonesian independence.
In fact, Aceh is referred to as a capital area. Historically, Aceh is also credited with donating two warplanes to President Ir. Sukarno to fight the invaders. The aircraft are named Seulawah RI 001 and Seulawah RI 002 with the condition that the Acehnese people are given the freedom to carry out the teachings of Islam.
On the other hand, the result of the peace agreement between the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and the Republic of Indonesia in a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Helsinki, Finland, made DI Aceh have a wider specificity. Therefore, it is not surprising that sometimes Aceh is also called the Government of Aceh.
For DI Yogyakarta itself, it is known that this area was originally in the form of an empire. Not only that, the great contribution of the sultan and the people of Yogya in fighting to seize and maintain Indonesian independence is also seen as a reinforcing factor why Yogyakarta is a special region. At that time, Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono IX offered President Ir. Sukarno asked that Yogyakarta be made the temporary capital when Jakarta was occupied by the Dutch.
Asymmetric Decentralization in the Perspective of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia
Sinaumed’s, that is our review of the advantages of a unitary state and its differences from a federated state. With the best books we recommend. If you want to find books related to the state government system, then you can find them at sinaumedia.com .
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Author: Mutiani Eka Astutik
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