A system of government in which the central government is supreme over other levels is

1. Analyze the question The question asks which system of government makes the central government supreme over every other level (regional, state, or local).

2. Explain the concept

• Unitary system: All power is concentrated in the central government. Any regional or local governments exist only because the centre created them, and it can change or abolish them. Examples: the United Kingdom and, in practice, France.
• Federal system: Power is constitutionally divided between the central government and the component units (states). Each level is supreme in its own sphere. Examples: Nigeria and the USA.
• Confederal system: The component units are the stronger ones, and the centre is weak and depends on them. Example: the Commonwealth of Independent States.
• Totalitarian: This describes how much control the state has over citizens' lives (for example, Nazi Germany). It is not a way of distributing power between levels of government.

3. Step-by-step solution

• The key phrase is "central government is supreme over other levels", which describes how power is distributed between levels of government.
• Federal (C) is out because power is shared, not held by the centre alone.
• Confederal (B) is out because power lies mainly with the units.
• Totalitarian (A) is out because it describes the degree of control over citizens, not the relationship between levels of government.
• Unitary (D) fits because the centre holds supreme authority and the other levels are subordinate.

4. Answer The correct option is D. unitary.

5. Exam tip Remember it this way: Unitary = "Unity at the top", with one supreme centre. Federal = "Fair share", with power divided. Confederal = "Component units are in charge". If a question says "supreme central government", think unitary.