What is a confederation?

A confederation is best defined as a union of states or groups that collaborate for a common purpose while maintaining their individual sovereignty. This structure allows member states to coordinate their actions and policies on specific issues, but they do not surrender their independence or governing authority. Each member retains control over its internal affairs and the ability to operate independently, which is a foundational characteristic of a confederation.

In contrast to this definition, the structure of a centrally governed state with no individual sovereignty reflects a more centralized form of governance, such as a unitary state, where authority is concentrated at a national level with little or no power devolved to local entities. Similarly, a formal alliance with no autonomy describes a scenario where entities may come together but lack any governing power or independence, which is also not representative of a confederation. Lastly, a large single national government typically refers to a federal or unitary system where power is centralized, as opposed to the decentralized nature of a confederation, where states maintain significant authority. Thus, the defining feature of a confederation is the voluntary association that allows states to work together while still valuing and upholding their own sovereignty.