How is government authority distributed in unitary, federal, and confederal systems?
in which system of government does the central authority hold all power?
In a unitary system, government authority is centralized and held by a single governing body at the national level. This means that all powers flow from the central government to local or regional governments, which may be created or abolished by the central government as needed. Examples of unitary systems include France and Japan.
In a federal system, government authority is divided between the national or federal government and regional or state governments. Both levels of governments have their own areas of authority and powers, which are delineated in the constitution. Examples of federal systems include the United States, Germany, and Australia.
In a confederal system, government authority is held primarily by the individual states or regions, with a weak central government that has limited powers. In this system, states or regions retain a higher level of sovereignty and can choose to cooperate or not with the central government. The central government only has the powers that are expressly delegated to it by the states or regions. An example of a confederal system is the European Union, particularly in its earlier stages.
To determine how government authority is distributed in these systems, it is important to examine the constitutional framework of the country or organization in question. Constitutional documents and legal principles define the division of powers and responsibilities between different levels of government. Understanding the specific structure and principles of each system is crucial to grasp how government authority is allocated.