HOW POWER IS DISTRIBUTED (Unitary, Federal, and Confederation)

A way to classify governments is by determining how the power in the government is distributed.

How Power Is Distributed There are essentially three ways a government’s power is distributed: the federal system, the unitary system, and the confederation system. Most nations don’t choose to have one or the other. 3

How Power Is Distributed The makeup of the nation, its history, its culture, and its geography tends to determine the system for the distribution of power. In reality, nations opt for either a federal or unitary system. 4

Federal System In a federal system sovereignty is shared between the national and the local government units; powers are divided between a central government and several local governments. (Example: United States) Countries with complete independence are said to be sovereign. 5

One Way Power Is Distributed Federal systems work well in countries where variations in local conditions, economies, or cultures make it impractical or inefficient to try to impose a single system or make it difficult to make decisions from a central location. 6

One Way Power Is Distributed Federal systems work well in large countries with geographically diverse populations. Federal systems allow local governments to act as laboratories to try out policies before they are used at the national level. Federal systems fit in well in capitalist countries because both people and businesses have the capacity to move; local governments must compete to keep people and jobs within their areas. 7

Another Way Power Can Be Distributed A unitary system is one where sovereignty rests on the shoulders of the national government; all powers are held by a central agency. (Example: Great Britain) 8

Another Way Power Can Be Distributed Unitary systems have their benefits: Every citizen in the country is entitled to the same rights and benefits. Unitary systems make it easier to maintain a sense of national identity. Unitary systems tend to run more smoothly because policy is easier to implement and less effort is spent sorting out who should do what. 9

Confederation In a confederation system an alliance of independent states have the real power; they have sovereignty. The central agency has very limited power. This is the least used form of the three. Remember: In reality, nations opt for either a federal or unitary system. 10

Countries that have federal systems of government include: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, Switzerland, Venezuela and the United States.

Countries that have unitary systems of government include: Belgium, Bulgaria, France, the Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Romania, the Scandinavian countries, Spain, and many of the Latin-American and African countries. The United Kingdom has a unitary system of parliamentary government.

Today’s Confederations: Iroquois Confederacy (1090–present) European Union OPEC –Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries ASEAN – Association of Southeast Asian Nations United Nations