Confederation

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"Confederate" redirects here as a synonym for "confederation"; this term can also mean an inhabitant of any of several groups of the Confederacy type or label

A confederation is an association of sovereign states or communities, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. Confederations tend to be established for dealing with critical issues, such as defense, foreign affairs, foreign trade, and a common currency, with the central government being required to provide support for all members. A confederation, in modern political terms, is usually limited to a permanent union of sovereign states for common action in relation to other states[1].

The nature of the relationship between the entities constituting a confederation varies considerably. Likewise, the relationship between the member states and the central government, and the distribution of powers among them, is highly variable. Some looser confederations are similar to international organizations, while tighter confederations may resemble federations.

In a non-political context, confederation is used to describe a type of organization which consolidates authority from other semi-autonomous bodies. Examples include sports confederations or confederations of Pan-European trades unions.

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[edit] Confederation vs. Federation

Sometimes confederation is erroneously used in the place of federation. A confederation is a state or entity similar in pyramidal structure to a federation but with a weaker central government. A confederation may also consist of member states which, while temporarily pooling sovereignty in certain areas, are considered entirely sovereign and retain the right of unilateral secession. A confederation is sometimes a loose alliance but in other cases the distinction between a federation and a confederation may be ambiguous. In contrast to a federation, a member state may participate in more than one confederation.

Some nations organize themselves using the term "confederation" but are in fact federations in structure. The United States of America was first organized under the Articles of Confederation, and continued as such under the current Constitution of the United States in 1789. The American Civil War was a by-product of the formation of the break-away Confederate States of America by U.S. states allied in their desire to form a looser political union and retain more states' rights for themselves.

[edit] Confederation as a legal action

The noun confederation refers to the process of (or the event of) confederating; i.e., establishing a confederation (or by extension a federation). In Canada — now a relatively centralized federation compared to more decentralized federations like the United States — "Confederation" generally refers to the British North America Act, 1867 which initially united three colonies of British North America (Province of Canada, Province of New Brunswick and Province of Nova Scotia), and to the subsequent incorporation of other colonies and territories. Despite this use of the word "confederation," Canada is a federal state.

[edit] Confederation Day

Confederation Day (like Federation Day in federations) is frequently a holiday in confederations, equivalent to the United States' Independence Day for any entity that achieved statehood as such. This is often renamed or colloquially celebrated under a different name.

In Canada, the French-language term for the national anniversary used to be Le Jour de la Confédération but is now Fête du Canada, literally 'Celebration of Canada'.[2] In English it was called first Dominion Day, then Canada Day, but never "Confederation Day".

[edit] List of entities considered to be confederations

Note that historical confederations, especially those predating the 20th century, may not fit the current definition of a confederation, may be proclaimed as a federation but be confederal, and may show some qualities that are today recognized as those of a federation.

[edit] Confederal states

Some have more characteristics of a personal union, but they are still listed here because of their own self-styling

[edit] International organisations

[edit] Looser Confederations

Confederation was form of military alliance of szlachta in Poland and Lithuania XIII-XIX centuries against the King.

Certain traditional tribal organisations are called confederations, without actually forming a permanent state, even if some have a formal leader who carries a title fit for a head of state.

[edit] Fictional confederations

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ^ Loi instituant des jours de fête légale. Retrieved on 2006-07-02.

[edit] Sources and External links

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