Which of the following best characterizes a confederal system of government?

• A. A strong central government leads policy decisions.
• B. States retain most power and a weak central government exists.
• C. National government holds all sovereignty.
• D. States retain most power and the central government is weak.

Answer: (D)

In a confederal system, states hold most of the power and the central government is weak. The central authority exists mainly to handle matters the states choose to cooperate on, but it has limited powers and relies on the states for its authority. This setup keeps sovereignty with the member states rather than transferring it to a strong central government.

That’s why the best description says states retain most power and the central government is weak. A describes a strong central authority, which isn’t confederal. C says the national government holds all sovereignty, which aligns with a unitary or highly centralized system, not a confederation. The choice that’s closest—states retain most power and a weak central government exists—doesn’t highlight how the central powers are specifically delegated by and dependent on the states, which is why the clear, definitive statement is the one that emphasizes both elements together. Historically, the Articles of Confederation are a classic example, where the central government existed but was too weak to be effective, leading to a shift toward a stronger central government.