Confederation can be defined as a loose political arrangement in which autonomous states come together to form a union. It is the coming together of sovereign states to form a union in which the major powers and function of a state are reserved exclusively for the component units with a weak center. It is also seen as a voluntary association of sovereign states with recognized authority in certain matters affecting the whole and especially in respect of external relations. The component states hold major powers except on common currency, defence, foreign affairs etc. in which the central government may hold powers. The component states retain their sovereignty, identity, own army, police and have the constitutional right to secede from the confederation. For instance, the coming together of the sovereign states of Senegal and Gambia to form Senegambia (1982-1989), and the European Union (EU).
Attributes of Confederal system of Government
1. It is a union of sovereign or autonomous states.
2. Major functions of government are reserved exclusively for the component states.
3. It has a weak central government.
4. The constitution makes the component states more powerful.
5. The component states has legal rights to secede.
6. Citizens has to obey only one government, i.e. their own government.
7. The component states retain their sovereignty and identity.
Advantages of Confederal system of Government
a. It brings weak and small sovereign states together to fight as one formidable nation against any external attack.
b. It allows component states to retain their sovereignty and identity instead of losing it to the central government.
. There is no fear of domination since all component states are given the absolute right to run their affairs. No state can claim superiority over any state.
d. Decisions are taken by members of a confederal states based on consensus earlier reached.
e. It encourages healthy competition among the sovereign states involved, and this leads to rapid development.
f. It gives the component states the opportunity to make diverse laws that will suit their diverse states.
g. Confederation guarantees wider consultation especially in the formulation of policies that concern all the states.
Disadvantages of Confederal system of Government
a. Major functions or powers of government are reserved exclusively for the components states instead of the central government.
b. Confederalism is not popular because it has a weak central government.
c. Another weakness of the system has no future since the component states are granted the legal right to secede anytime they wish to do so.
d. It is repudiated by many nations because of its inherent political instability.
e. It is not popular because of the fact that the component states retain their sovereignty and identity instead of losing them to the common union.
f. Confederation does not allow for even development.
g. It does not guarantees political unity rather, it encourages disintegration.
Differences between federation and confederation.
1. In a federation, sovereignty is rested on the central government, while in a confederation, sovereignty rests with the component states.
2. The component states in a federation do not have the legal right to secede, while in a confederation, they are free to do so.
3. Major Powers are reserved exclusively for the central government in a federation, while in confederation, the major powers belong to the component states.
4. In a federation, the centre is stronger than the component states, while in a confederation, the component states are stronger.
5. Citizens obey two governments in a federation- the central and state governments, while the citizens in a confederation obey only their component states.
6. A federation maintain rigid constitution, while confederation maintain flexible constitution.
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