Structures of Government Review

Which of the following is most likely a characteristic of a unitary government system?

• Local governments can make their own laws on most issues.

• The central government makes decisions, and local governments must follow them.

• States or regions can choose to leave the national system.

Which feature best describes a federal government system?

• States or regions have full control over all laws without central government interference.

• Power is concentrated at the national level, and local governments mainly enforce decisions.

• National and state governments share power, each having authority in different areas.

In a confederal system, what is the main role of the central government?

• To enforce strict national laws across all regions.

• To handle only a few important matters while most power remains with individual states or regions.

• To make decisions on all policy issues, leaving little autonomy for regional governments.

Which of the following is a unitary characteristic?

• National laws apply across the country with little to no variation between regions.

• States and regions can decide to pass their own laws on major issues like defense.

• Regions can join or leave the national system as they choose.

A country with federal structure might most likely have:

• One legal system that applies to all regions equally.

• Different legal systems in various states, with some laws made at the national level and others at the state level.

• Independent regions working together but keeping their own authority over all internal issues.

In a confederal system, states or regions:

• Must follow all national laws with no exceptions.

• Agree to cooperate on some issues but keep most of their independence.

• Share equal power with the central government on all matters.

In France, the government in Paris sets the laws and regulations for the entire nation. While there are regional officials, they focus on carrying out the directives from the national government, which controls all major aspects of governance.

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal

In Brazil, both the national government and the regional governments have significant power. The national government handles areas like foreign policy and defense, but the regions make their own decisions on education, transportation, and law enforcement.

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal

Germany has a structure of government where power is divided between the national government and the regional governments (Länder). Regional governments have control over important matters like education and policing, while the national government manages defense and national laws.

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal

From 1291 until 1848, Switzerland was a loose association of independent regions (cantons) that governed themselves but cooperated on issues like defense. Each canton had its own government and laws, and they only came together for limited joint decisions.

• Unitary

• Federal

• Confederal