What type of government derives all authority from a central national government?

A government that derives all authority from a central national government is known as a unitary government. In a unitary system, the central authority holds the primary power and can create or dissolve local government entities. This central authority sets policies, laws, and regulations that apply uniformly across the entire nation, ensuring consistency and cohesion in governance.

Unitary government structures often lead to more streamlined decision-making processes, as power is concentrated at the national level. In contrast, confederate systems distribute power more broadly among various states or provinces, leading to a weaker central authority. Federal systems share power between national and subnational governments, allowing for varying degrees of autonomy. Oligarchic governance involves control by a small group of individuals, which is different from the central authority concept in a unitary system. Therefore, the unitary system is characterized by its centralization of power, making it distinct from these other forms of government.