Which form of government is most common internationally?

The most common form of government internationally is a unitary government. In a unitary system, the central government holds the majority of the power, with any regional or local authorities operating primarily as extensions of that central authority. This allows for a more streamlined process of governance and policy implementation, as decisions can be made quickly without the complexities involved in more decentralized systems.

A unitary government is often more prevalent, especially in smaller nations or those with a strong sense of national identity, where central control is seen as essential for unity and stability. Countries like France and Japan exemplify this structure, where the national government has substantial authority over local governments.

In contrast, federal governments, while important and effective in larger or more diverse nations (like the United States or Canada), are less common on a global scale. Confederate governments, which are characterized by a union of sovereign states that delegate limited powers to a central authority, are rare and typically arise only in specific historical circumstances. Parliamentary governments are also common but usually exist within broader unitary or federal systems. The prevalence of unitary governments highlights the tendency of many nations to favor centralized control for governance efficiency.