Which concept means the distribution of power between a central government and regional governments?

• A. Unitarianism
• B. Federalism
• C. Confederation
• D. Monarchy

Answer: (B)

Federalism describes the distribution of power between a central government and regional governments. In a federal system, the constitution assigns certain powers to the national level and others to regional or state authorities, sometimes with shared responsibilities as well. This setup aims to balance national unity with regional autonomy, making both levels legitimate sources of government authority. It contrasts with unitarianism, which concentrates most power at the center; a confederation, where a weak central authority holds limited powers granted by sovereign states; and monarchy, which refers to a system of rule by a monarch and doesn’t specify how power is divided between central and regional governments.