Konföderatsiooni

Konföderatsiooni is a term that describes a union of sovereign states that are united for a common purpose but retain their individual identities and governmental powers. In a confederation, the constituent states delegate specific, limited powers to a central authority, but they remain largely independent and can often withdraw from the union. The central governing body in a confederation typically has limited power over the individual member states and their citizens, and instead operates through the states themselves. Decisions made by the confederate government are often subject to the approval of the member states. This structure is distinct from a federation, where power is divided between a central government and regional governments, with the central government having direct authority over citizens. Historically, confederations have been formed for purposes such as defense, economic cooperation, or to address shared external threats. Examples of historical entities that have been described as confederations include the Confederate States of America and Switzerland in its earlier stages of development. The effectiveness and longevity of confederations can vary greatly depending on the specific agreements and the political will of the member states.