1. Within a federal system such as the United States, the citizens’ roles can vary and engage in both national and state governments through being able to vote in elections that affect them on both levels. Within a confederation, the citizens are mainly supposed to interact with or in regional governments considering that most power will reside in that since the central authority is weaker. In a unitary system, the central government holds the primary power and citizens have to deal with the consequences of that. Local governments if they do exist are given limited autonomy to do as they please. 

2. The division of power in federal systems particularly refers to the split authority between the national level and state level. Within these kinds of systems, there are certain responsibilities given to each government such as handling defense against the nation, education, law enforcement, etc. Having this delegation of responsibilities like this ensures that there are no imbalances of power like one branch of government having any significant power over another.

3. The federal government was able to shape the actions of state and local governments through specifically funding and adding additional policies/guidelines to control the situation. Federal agencies, specifically the CDC had issued health guidelines for the public to follow to avoid any contact with the virus. New York had also used mask mandates and social distancing in recommendation to these federal guidelines as it tried to contain and repress the virus.

1)        In a confederation citizens have a larger power compared to the government itself, usually having a better relationship with said government mainly interacting with state governments

1)        In a federal system like the one in place in the United States of America Every four years citizens vote for a person to represent everyone for a cycle of four years they can be elected again for an additional four years after that someone you must take its place people that are elected. Have the power to change laws and policies so it is crucial, that people choose someone who they align with because they’re every day life could change.

1)        In a unitary system revolves around having all the power in a national government. National decisions are more uniformed and compacted.

2)        Division of power is how *power* is spread within the government with different levels of government like state by state government and federal government. As en example the United States of America has two powers, state and national. Having two powers acts as a balance so that one power takes all. Instead it is balanced out.

3)        Federal government response to Covid 19 in New York was strong, we had more funding for Medicaid but also unfounded mandates which means New York had to meet federal standards without financial support on a federal level.

1. In federal systems, citizens have a role in both national and state governments. They can vote for representatives at both levels, which allows them to influence decisions locally and nationally. For example, citizens can vote for lower-class representatives such as councilmen but also participate in national elections such as the presidency. In confederation systems, the central government has limited power. The states retain most of the authority and the national government often has little direct influence on citizen’s daily lives. In unitary systems, the central government holds most of the power. Citizens mainly interact with local governments, which are often created and controlled by the central government. Local representatives have less independence, and the national government decides many key policies for the state. 
2. The division of power means that government authority is shared among different levels. In the United States, this includes division between the three branches; executive, legislative, and judicial. Power is also divided between the national government and the states. Each level has its separate responsibilities. This setup allows for a balance of power, where both levels can work independently but also cooperate when necessary.
3. The federal government shapes local and state governments by providing funding and guidelines allocated to designated areas of concern. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government influenced the actions of New York State and local governments in several ways. Some examples include social distancing, mask mandates, vaccine mandates, and quarantine guidelines. Because COVID-19 was seen as a national threat, the federal government had the authority to do what it saw fit to contain the threat. Federal funding also played a significant role. The government allocated funds to states that provided financial support to help states manage the pandemic’s impact.

1. In a federal system such as that of the United States, citizens engage in governance by electing representatives across various tiers: local, state, and national. This framework facilitates a distribution of power among different governmental levels, ensuring that the voices of citizens resonate across multiple platforms. Conversely, in a confederation, authority is predominantly vested in local governments, resulting in a comparatively weaker central authority. Here, citizens exert a more immediate influence over their local administrations, which wield the majority of governing power. While this arrangement can foster significant local autonomy, it may also encounter challenges related to national cohesion and coordination. In a unitary system, the central government retains the bulk of the power, with local governments exercising minimal autonomy. Citizens primarily engage with the central authority, which is responsible for most decision-making processes. This can lead to more consistent policies but may also diminish local representation. 2. The concept of power distribution, commonly known as the separation of powers, entails allocating governmental authority among distinct branches to avert the concentration of power within any single branch. This typically encompasses the legislative branch, responsible for law-making; the executive branch, tasked with law enforcement; and the judicial branch, which interprets laws. Such a system promotes a balance of power and incorporates checks and balances, enabling each branch to restrict the powers of the others, thereby fostering accountability and mitigating the risk of power abuses. For a visual representation of this concept, one may refer to a TED-Ed video that elucidates the division of power within the United States government, detailing the roles and functions of each branch and their interactions through checks and balances. 3. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government exerted considerable influence over the actions of New York state and local authorities through a variety of measures. The federal government allocated significant financial resources to New York via several relief packages, which included funding for healthcare, unemployment assistance, and other forms of support.

1. Describe the primary differences in the role of citizens in government, among the federal, confederation, and unitary systems.
2. Briefly explain how you understand the system of division of power.
3. How does the federal government shape the actions of state and local governments? Write your answer based on doing a bit of research on how the federal government has influenced the actions of NY state and local governments, during the COVID-19 pandemic.