Political Structures and Governance

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Unitary State

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A state governed as a single entity in which the central government is ultimately supreme. Local authorities only exercise powers delegated by the central government.

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Federal State

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A state characterized by a union of partially self-governing provinces or states under a central (federal) government. Power is constitutionally divided.

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Confederation

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A union of sovereign states united for purposes of common action, with the central organization having little authority.

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Sovereignty

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Supreme and independent authority over a territory and its people.

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Central Government

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The national governing body that exercises power over the entire territory.

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Sub-national/Local Government

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Administrative divisions of a country (e.g., provinces, regions, municipalities) that derive their power from the central authority.

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Devolution

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The transfer of power from a central government to a sub-national government, but the central government retains the ultimate authority to revoke that power.