How power is divided between national and subnational governments in federal versus unitary states, with real examples.
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- What is federalism?
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A system of government where power is divided between a national government and regional governments (states or provinces), each with their own constitutionally defined powers.- What is a unitary system?
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A system of government where all power is held by a central national government, which may delegate authority to regional or local governments at its discretion.- What is a confederation?
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A loose alliance of independent states or regions that retain sovereignty and delegate limited powers to a central coordinating body.- Where does sovereignty reside in a federal system?
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Sovereignty is shared or split between the national government and the regional governments, each supreme in their own sphere.- Where does sovereignty reside in a unitary system?
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Sovereignty rests entirely with the central national government, which holds the ultimate legal and political authority.- Is the United States a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and the 50 state governments.- Is Canada a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and the ten provinces and three territories.- Is Australia a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and six states and two territories.- Is Germany a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and sixteen Laender (state governments).- Is India a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the central government and 28 states and 8 union territories.- Is Brazil a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and 26 states plus the Federal District.- Is Nigeria a federal or unitary system?
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Federal. Power is divided between the federal government and 36 states.- Is the United Kingdom a federal or unitary system?
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Unitary, though with devolution. Ultimate sovereignty rests with Parliament, but Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have devolved regional governments.- Is France a federal or unitary system?
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Unitary. Sovereignty rests with the central government in Paris, though regions and communes have limited local authority.- Is Japan a federal or unitary system?
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Unitary. Sovereignty rests with the national government, though prefectures have some local authority delegated by the center.
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