A national government is the government that holds authority over an entire country, as distinct from regional, state or local governments.
Historical proponents:Alexander Hamilton, Otto von BismarckA single should set the main rules so that citizens are treated the same everywhere.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
Typical powers of a national government include defense and foreign affairs, currency, trade and immigration, and often taxation and major public services. In unitary states it usually also controls local government; in federal states its powers are shared with state or provincial governments.
Different countries use different terms: “central government”, “federal government” (in federations such as the United States, Germany or Australia), or simply “the government”. How much power the national level should have compared with regions and localities is the core question of the Federal vs Unitary axis.
Influential figures in the 12 axes thinker pool who advocated, analyzed or shaped ideas around this concept.
Statesman & financier · 1755–1804
The first Treasury secretary, who argued for an energetic national government, a national bank and public support for manufacturing.
“Federalist Nos. 23–36 argue for a national government with full powers over taxes, defence and commerce.”
Prussian minister-president & German chancellor · 1815–1898
Prussia’s minister-president and then the first chancellor of the German Empire, who unified Germany through three wars and held it together with alliances, tariffs and state insurance.
“Built the Empire as a federation of princes and free cities, with Prussia dominant in the Bundesrat.”
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
The federal government of the United States, whose powers are listed in the Constitution, with the rest reserved to the states.
The government of France, which oversees local authorities within a unitary system.
The Government of Canada, which shares powers with ten provincial governments.
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
Agreeing that a single national government should set the main rules moves your score toward the Unitary side of the Federal vs Unitary axis.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
Agreeing with a statement about national government moves your score toward Unitary.
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Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.