Confederation

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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

The difference in meaning between a confederation and a federation had evolved in usage over time. Prior to the US Civil War, the terms were largely synonymous, but differing political views with regard to the nature of political unions, especially as applied to the US Constitution (which up to that time was considered both a Federal and a Confederated Union), caused each of the terms to subsequently embody one of the two rival and opposing theories of state's rights. Currently, a confederation is considered 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.

Because of the historical synonymity between the words Confederation/Confederacy and Federation, some nations originally organized themselves using the term "confederation," but are in fact federations in structure as currently defined. The United States of America was first organized under the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, which would today be defined as a Federation, and continued as such under the current Constitution of the United States in 1789. The Confederate States of America attempted to break away from the United States, touching off the American Civil War; although the CSA is often referred to as "the Confederacy" and modern supporters of the Confederate States often justify their secession in terms of states' rights, the Confederate States Constitution for the most part copied the structure of the U.S. Constitution, with only minor differences in the area of states' rights.

[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 decentralized federation compared to more centralized 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] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary
  2. ^ Loi instituant des jours de fête légale. Retrieved on July 2, 2006.

[edit] Sources and external links

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