Differences between Confederation and Federation
Confederation vs. Federation
A confederation is a system of government in which sovereign states delegate certain powers to a central government, but retain ultimate authority.[1][2] A federation, in contrast, is a political system where power is divided between a central government and its constituent units, such as states or provinces.[3] While both involve a union of states, the primary distinction lies in the location of sovereignty and the strength of the central authority.[3] Historically, some political unions have transitioned from a confederation to a federation, such as the United States, which initially operated under the Articles of Confederation.[4][2]
Comparison Table
| Category | Confederation | Federation |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty | Member states retain their individual sovereignty.[5] | Sovereignty is shared between the central government and the constituent states.[5][3] |
| Central Authority | The central government is typically weak and has limited, delegated powers.[1] | A central government possesses significant, constitutionally defined powers. |
| Basis of Union | Usually based on an international treaty or agreement among sovereign states. | Based on a constitution that binds both the central government and the member states. |
| Relationship with Citizens | The central authority generally interacts with member states, not directly with citizens.[5] | The central government has direct authority over citizens and can enforce laws and collect taxes.[4] |
| Secession | Member states typically have the right to withdraw from the union.[1][3] | The right to secede is generally not recognized.[5][3] |
| Decision Making | Often requires unanimity or a special majority among member states. | Decisions are typically made by the central government's legislative bodies. |
In a confederation, the constituent states are the primary actors, and the central government's role is often limited to common concerns like defense or economic cooperation.[1][4] The laws of the central body may not be directly enforceable on individuals within the member states without being adopted by the state governments. Examples of historical confederations include the United States under the Articles of Confederation (1781–1789) and the German Confederation (1815–1866).
In[4] a federation, the constitution outlines the division of powers, and both the federal government and the constituent units have their own spheres of authority. Citizens are subject to the laws of both their state and the federal government. Modern[3] federations are common, with examples including the United States, Germany, India, and Brazil. While the Swiss government is formally known as the Swiss Confederation, it is now considered a federation in practice since its 1848 constitution. The[3] European Union has characteristics of both a confederation and a federation but does not fit neatly into either category.[4]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "lawnotes.co". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "britannica.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "youtube.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "encyclopedia.com". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "princeton.edu". Retrieved November 16, 2025.
