What best describes a confederal system of government?

• A. Powers of government are concentrated at the state level. A loose union of states.
• B. Powers are divided between national and state governments.
• C. A central body retains supreme power.
• D. A single national government rules all.

Answer: (A)

Confederal systems keep sovereignty with the states and create a weak central authority that acts only with the states’ permission. Because of that, most governing power stays at the state level and the union is loose. This matches the description that powers are concentrated at the state level, with a loose union of states. The central government in a confederation has limited powers and relies on the states to carry out policies. In contrast, a federal system shares power between national and state governments, and a unitary system concentrates power in a single national authority. An example often discussed is the United States under the Articles of Confederation, where states retained most sovereignty and the central government was weak.