HOW POWER IS DISTRIBUTED Unitary Federal and Confederation

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: o the federal system, o the unitary system, o and the confederation system. • Most nations don’t choose to have one or the other.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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