There are differences in the role of citizens in government among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems. The main difference being that there are different levels to how citizens can have a direct say or influence. The federal system gives citizens a greater range of opportunities for being involved. The unitary systems offer the least amount of direct citizen interaction. Confederations are in between.
I understand that the system of division of power are broken up into three parts. Federal system, unitary system, and confederation system. They each have a different representation of the parts they play in balancing authority. They each come with pros and cons. The federal system shares its power between a central government and state government. The unitary system has a strong central government that controls weaker division. The confederation system has a weak central government and strong member states that can choose whether they want to follow their lead or not.
The federal government shapes the actions of state and local governments by
-setting mandates and setting regulations.
-creating legislations that states have to follow.
-federal, state and local governments working together on specific global issues.
-providing funding and having grants.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government provided a lot of financial assistance thankfully. There was money for most of those in need or struggling due to financial hardship that the pandemic brought upon everyone. There were also mandates and regulations set during this time. There was a mask mandate that went into effect and everyone for a very long time had to wear a mask out in public or when entering public areas like train stations, stores and restaurants.
Yes, you’ve captured the core differences among the three systems well. In federal systems, the division of power between national and state governments provides citizens more opportunities to participate at multiple levels of governance. Unitary systems tend to centralize authority, offering fewer avenues for direct involvement at local levels. Confederations, with their weaker central government and stronger member states, offer a balance between the two, although with a greater emphasis on regional autonomy.
The influence of the federal government on state and local governments, particularly in the U.S., is significant. As you mentioned, federal mandates, regulations, and funding often shape how state and local governments operate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this influence was evident. The federal government not only provided financial assistance to those in need, but also implemented national regulations, like mask mandates, which were essential in controlling the spread of the virus. This shows how, in times of crisis, the federal system can leverage its authority to provide support and maintain order across all levels of government.