1. The main difference between these systems is how political power is distributed, which also changes how citizens participate in government. In a federal system, power is shared between a national government and smaller governments like states. Citizens usually participate at multiple levels—they vote for national leaders but also vote for state and local officials who make laws that affect their communities. The United States is a good example of this system because both the federal government and the states have their own responsibilities and authority. In a confederation system, most of the power belongs to the individual states or regions, and the central government is very weak. Because of this, citizens mainly interact with and influence their local or state governments, which have the real decision-making power. In a unitary system, almost all political power is held by the central government. Local governments may exist, but they only have the powers the national government allows them to have. This means citizens primarily depend on the national government for laws and decisions rather than local authorities.

2. The system of division of power means that government authority is split among different levels or branches so that no single group has complete control. In the United States, power is divided between the federal government, the states, and local governments. This structure helps balance power and prevent abuse. For example, the federal government might handle things like national defense or immigration, while states manage areas like education, transportation, or public health. By dividing responsibilities this way, the government can address national issues while still allowing states to make decisions that fit their own communities.

3. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government had a major influence on how New York and other states responded. Even though states had the authority to make many public health decisions, federal agencies like the CDC provided guidelines and recommendations that states followed when creating policies such as social distancing, mask use, and workplace safety rules. The federal government also shaped state actions through funding and emergency aid programs. Large relief packages sent billions of dollars to states, including New York, to support hospitals, testing programs, vaccines, schools, and economic recovery efforts. These federal funds helped the state government run programs that supported residents and businesses during the pandemic. In other words, even though states like New York had the power to decide things like stay-at-home orders or vaccine eligibility, the federal government still influenced those decisions through guidance, funding, and national health policies.