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Simple English definitions for legal terms
confederation
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A quick definition of confederation:
A confederation is when a group of states or nations come together to work towards a common goal, like protecting themselves from powerful neighbors or working together on trade and justice. Each state or nation keeps its own power, but they also give some power to a central authority. It's like a team where everyone has their own strengths, but they work together to win. Sometimes, people use the word "confederation" to mean a secret plan or conspiracy, but that's not the main meaning.
A more thorough explanation:
A confederation is a union or league of states or nations, where each member retains its sovereignty but also delegates some rights and powers to a central authority. The United States was first organized under the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak central government with limited powers.
For example, the European Union is a confederation of 27 member states that cooperate on various issues such as trade, security, and environmental protection, while still maintaining their own governments and decision-making powers.
A confederation can also refer to an alliance or conspiracy, often used in a negative sense.
Overall, a confederation aims to secure a common good, whether it's mutual protection against powerful neighbors or internal benefits such as commerce and community of justice through common institutions.