Centralization of Power

Extracted Attributes

• Context

  Can occur at a national level through the transfer of power to a unitary sovereign state, with minimal delegation to subdivisions.

• Definition

  Concentration of executive and legislative authority at a higher, central level of government, as opposed to its distribution among lower-level authorities.

• Government Type

  Common in unitary forms of government and modern constitutional governments.

• Associated Theory

  Extent and evolution of centralization are key aspects of social contract theory.

• Historical Examples

  Menes (ancient Egyptian pharaoh), Louis XIV, New Monarchies, Royal Absolutism

• Advantages (General)

  Clear chain of command, focused vision, reduced costs, quick implementation, improved quality of work.

• Disadvantages (General)

  Bureaucratic leadership, remote control, delays in work, lack of employee loyalty.

Timeline

• Menes, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, is credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt and founding the first dynasty, thereby instituting a centralized government. (Source: Wikipedia)

  Unknown (Ancient Egypt)

• Centralization of power was a common tactic for New Monarchies and Royal Absolutism, leading to the emergence of nation-states. (Source: Web Search Results)

  17th-18th Century (Modern Era)

• The US government exhibits increasing centralization of power, particularly in executing strategies like aggressive tariffs. (Source: Document 4b1c9435-cba0-4c58-b5e6-858844a54e5c)

  Contemporary

• The increasing centralization of power in the US is discussed in the context of geopolitical rivalry between the US and China. (Source: Document 4b1c9435-cba0-4c58-b5e6-858844a54e5c)

  Contemporary

• Domestic concerns about rising socialism and economic anxieties are linked to discussions about the centralization of power. (Source: Document 4b1c9435-cba0-4c58-b5e6-858844a54e5c)

  Contemporary

Centralized government

A centralized government (also united government) is one in which both executive and legislative power is concentrated centrally at the higher level as opposed to it being more distributed at various lower level governments. In a national context, centralization occurs in the transfer of power to a typically unitary sovereign nation state. Executive and/or legislative power is then minimally delegated to unit subdivisions (state, county, municipal and other local authorities). Menes, an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the early dynastic period, is credited by classical tradition with having united Upper and Lower Egypt, and as the founder of the first dynasty (Dynasty I), became the first ruler to institute a centralized government. All constituted governments are, to some degree, necessarily centralized, in the sense that even a federation exerts an authority or prerogative beyond that of its constituent parts. To the extent that a base unit of society – usually conceived as an individual citizen – vests authority in a larger unit, such as the state or the local community, authority is centralized. The extent to which this ought to occur, and the ways in which centralized government evolves, forms part of social contract theory.

Web Search Results

• Centralization of Power: Meaning & Advantages

  ## Frequently Asked Questions about Centralization of Power What is centralization of power? Centralization of power is when the executive and legislative powers come from a single authority. What is an example of centralized power? An example of centralized power is Louis XIV. In which type of government is power centralized? An unitary form of government has centralized power. What are the advantages of centralization of power? [...] Power is centralized when the executive and legislative power come from the same central group. This was a common tactic for the New Monarchies and Royal Absolutism. Nation-states were able to emerge as power was centralized and national identities formed. This is also common in modern, constitutional governments! [...] Many countries still had versions of the feudal system before their centralization. Most constitutional governments that we see today have some form of centralized power. Power is centralized when the legislative and executive branches of government are controlled by a small portion of the kingdom's population. ## Centralization of Power - Key takeaways ## Similar topics in History ## Related topics to Modern World History ## Flashcards in Centralization of Power

• Centralization of Power: Meaning & Advantages - Vaia

  ## Frequently Asked Questions about Centralization of Power What is centralization of power? Centralization of power is when the executive and legislative powers come from a single authority. What is an example of centralized power? An example of centralized power is Louis XIV. In which type of government is power centralized? An unitary form of government has centralized power. What are the advantages of centralization of power? [...] Power is centralized when the executive and legislative power come from the same central group. This was a common tactic for the New Monarchies and Royal Absolutism. Nation-states were able to emerge as power was centralized and national identities formed. This is also common in modern, constitutional governments! [...] Many countries still had versions of the feudal system before their centralization. Most constitutional governments that we see today have some form of centralized power. Power is centralized when the legislative and executive branches of government are controlled by a small portion of the kingdom's population. ## Centralization of Power - Key takeaways ## Similar topics in History ## Related topics to Modern World History ## Flashcards in Centralization of Power

• Centralized government

  A centralized government (also united government) is one in which both executive and legislative power is concentrated centrally at the higher level as opposed to it being more distributed at various lower level governments. In a national context, centralization occurs in the transfer of power to a typically unitary sovereign nation state. Executive and/or legislative power is then minimally delegated to unit subdivisions (state, county, municipal and other local authorities). Menes, an ancient [...] All constituted governments are, to some degree, necessarily centralized, in the sense that even a federation exerts an authority or prerogative beyond that of its constituent parts. To the extent that a base unit of society – usually conceived as an individual citizen – vests authority in a larger unit, such as the state "State (polity)") or the local community, authority is centralized. The extent to which this ought to occur, and the ways in which centralized government evolves, forms part [...] Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia ## Contents # Centralized government

• Centralization vs. Decentralization

  Centralization refers to the process in which activities involving planning and decision making within an organization are concentrated a specific leader or location. In a centralized organization, the decision-making powers are retained in the head office and all other locations are directed from this main office resulting in communication flowing in a top-down manner. In contrast, a decentralized setup empowers teams or departments to make decisions, promoting communication in all directions. [...] Table of Contents Introduction Understanding Centralization and Decentralization Advantages of Centralization Clear Chain of Command Focused Vision Reduced Costs Quick Implementation Improved Quality of Work Disadvantages of Centralization Bureaucratic Leadership Remote Control Delays in Work Lack of Employee Loyalty Key Factors Influencing the Choice [...] The standardized procedures and better supervision in a centralized organization result in improved quality of work. Supervisors in each department ensure that the work outputs are uniform and of high quality. Disadvantages of Centralization ----------------------------------- 1. ### Bureaucratic Leadership

• Theories of power and social change. Power contestations ...

  contrary, they can also manifest in a ‘re-centralisation’ or ’re-enforcement’ of centralised power (e.g. when renewable energy is co-opted by existing energy multinationals). As such, it is particularly pertinent to study the following empirical questions about power in social change and innovation processes: [...] However, power theories also provide insights on how processes of power decentralisation can also involve the (re)construction of old or new power inequalities and oppressions (e.g. if and when community-led energy cooperatives primarily involve affluent actors with a high social capital, possibly – and often unintendedly – excluding others). Moreover, power theories help remind us that social change and innovation processes do not necessarily strive for the decentralisation of power. On the [...] This debate relates to Foucault’s notions that the hierarchical, centralized notion of power as a King would have it or any other judicial-political entity is an outdated legacy from the past, and to Mann’s distinction between authoritative power and diffused power. While authoritative power ‘comprises definite commands and conscious obedience’, diffused power ‘spreads in more, spontaneous, unconscious, decentred ways throughout a population, resulting in similar social practices that embody