1. In a federal system like the U.S., citizens can engage with both state and national governments, giving them multiple ways to influence policies. In a confederation, citizens mainly deal with their state governments since the central government has little power, making their involvement more local. In a unitary system, the central government holds most of the power, so citizens have less direct influence on national policies and mainly interact at the local level.
  2. The division of power is how authority is split between the federal government and state governments. The federal government deals with national issues like defense, while state governments handle local matters like education. This setup is meant to balance power, ensuring that no single government can act without considering the other.
  3. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government significantly influenced New York State and local actions. For example, it provided funding through relief packages like the CARES Act, which helped New York pay for healthcare and support people out of work. The federal government also offered guidelines through the CDC on safety measures like social distancing and mask-wearing, which New York followed. Also, the federal emergency declaration allowed for quicker resource sharing and better coordination, enabling the state to respond to the pandemic more effectively.

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