In a federal system, power is shared between the national and state governments. Citizens can vote and ask leaders at different levels for changes. The reading explains that if people do not get support at one level, they can try another. In a confederation, states have most of the power, so citizens mainly influence decisions through their states. In a unitary system, the national government has the main authority and decides what powers local governments have.
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understand division of power as splitting responsibilities between the national and state governments. The reading explains that this lets states try new ideas and respond to what their citizens need. However, states have different resources, so things like schools can receive very different amounts of money. Sharing power can also make solving national problems harder because governments may disagree.

The federal government influences state and local governments through funding, help, and guidance. During COVID-19, New York changed its mask rules in May 2021 after the CDC updated its guidance for fully vaccinated people. FEMA also helped New York open vaccination sites in Brooklyn and Queens. This helped people get vaccines in their communities. These examples connect to the reading because they show how different levels of government can work together while having their own responsibilities.