Federal and Confederal Governance: a historical perspective

Abstract

The following research paper defines the different government controlling methodologies of federal and confederal governance. It highlights the topic under the history of America. The paper defines the government forms of unitary, federal and confederal governance with relevant examples. It then describes the movement of America from a confederal government to federal government bodies. It highlights the key problems associated with these formations and analyses the current prospective of federal government of America.

Table of Contents

Abstract1

Introduction3

Discussion4

Confederation4

History of Confederation4

Problems of Confederation4

Federal Government5

Laws formed by Federation6

Advantages of Federalism7

Disadvantages of Federalism7

Suggestions for Federalism7

Conclusion8

Endnotes10

Federal and Confederal

Introduction

In order to understand and review the history of American in a shift from confederal to federal, it is important to understand the types of governing bodies which control the power and monitor the working of a country. The governance of any country is divided into three categories unilateral, confederal and federal.

Unilateral government similar to the one followed by the UK government is autonomous and has all the powers in the hands of the state governments. The state governments make the policies of trade, foreign policy, economy and it divides the budget in all the states accordingly. In unilateral form of government the federal government has the authority to collect taxes.

Confederal is a weaker form of government which doesn't provide any power to the federal authorities. The European Union is an example of a confederation where the European countries combine themselves into legal ties and provision people to use a general currency, use the same licenses and without the approval of the immigrating authorities can migrate from one country to the other or in a general scenario from one state to another. The United States of America after its independence formulated a confederation. The power is handed to the state authorities, and they collect taxes and the federal government has the authority to make foreign policies only.

The federal form of government is an intermediate between the two forms where neither the states nor the federation has the absolute authority to deign policies. The power is divided in hierarchies. USA now follows the federal style of government. In this form the states make their policies they collect the taxes, but they have to share a certain amount with the federation to maintain its own working. The foreign policy is designed by the state; the army is controlled by the state however the states have the authority to design other policies for the state.

Discussion

Confederation

History of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were first introduced in the USA in 1777 and were implemented in all states by 1787. The congress introduced this form of government and soon leads the nation to the state of anarchy as the articles were not comprehensive to define the strategies for the continent. Each state had one vote; this was an injustice with the larger provinces. The congress could pass a bill with acceptance of 9 votes, but didn't have the powers to enforce it.

The decision making, fund raising, site planning, army built up all ...