- Single government, that is, the national government which may create regional governments
- Constitution may be written (France) or unwritten (Britain)
- No division of powers. All powers are vested in the national government
- Constitution may be supreme (Japan) or may not be supreme (Britain)
- Constitution may be rigid (France) or flexible (Britain)
- Judiciary may be independent or may not be independent
- Legislature may be bicameral (Britain) or unicameral (China)