1. The primary differences in the role of citizens in government among federal, confederation, and unitary systems are based on how power is distributed. In a federal system, citizens participate at both the national and state levels by voting for different leaders and influencing laws in both governments. In a confederation system, most power is held by the states, so citizens have more influence in their local or state governments and less at the national level. In a unitary system, power is centralized in one national government, so citizens mainly interact with and are influenced by that central authority.
2. The system of division of power means that government authority is shared between different levels, usually national and state governments. Each level has its own responsibilities, and some powers are shared. This system prevents one level of government from having too much control and allows each level to handle issues that affect them most.
3. The federal government shaped the actions of New York State and local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic in several ways. It provided funding and emergency relief, which helped support hospitals, businesses, and individuals. Federal agencies gave guidelines on safety measures like masks and social distancing, which New York used to create its own policies. The federal government also helped with vaccine distribution, influencing how New York organized and carried out its vaccination programs. Overall, the federal government influenced state and local actions through funding, guidance, and resources.

1. In a federal system, power is divided between the national and state governments, so citizens have influence at different levels. People can vote for laws, leaders, and representatives at the local, state, and national levels, which gives them a stronger overall voice in government. In a unitary system, most authority is concentrated in the national government. For example, in the United Kingdom, the national government traditionally held most of the power, and regional governments had less authority and depended on it. However, since the 1990s, power has been somewhat decentralized through devolution, giving regions like Scotland and Wales more control. Lastly, in a confederation, like the United States under the Articles of Confederation, the states held most of the power while the national government was weak. Because of this, the national government depended on the states to act. Citizens had more influence at the state level since that is where most political power was located.
2. I understand division of power as a way to prevent any one part of the government from becoming too powerful. In the United States, power is divided into two main ways. First, it is divided into three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. Each branch has its own role. Congress makes the laws, the president enforces them, and the court interprets them. They also have checks on each other to keep things balanced. Second, the power is divided between federal government and state governments, also known as federalism. The federal government handles national issues like defense, while states handle more local matters like education and public safety. Overall, this system helps create balance, prevents abuse of power and protects the rights of citizens.
3. The federal government shapes what state and local government do mostly through money, rules and guidance. During Covid-19, the federal government gave New York money through relief programs, which helped pay for hospitals, vaccines and unemployment support. Because of the funding, New York followed certain guidelines. Also, federal agencies gave recommendations about masks, vaccines, and safety rules, which influenced New York’s decisions. Even though New York made its own choices, the federal government played a big role by providing resources and setting the general direction.

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.

1. In a unitary system, the national government has most of the power, and local governments depend on it for authority. In a confederation system, most of the power is held by the states or smaller governments, and the national government has very little power. In a federal system, power is shared between the national government and the state governments, so citizens are connected to both levels of government.  

2. The division of power means that government power is shared between the national government and the states, that is called federalism. It helps balance power so that both levels of government have authority.  

3. The federal government can shape what states and local governments do by working together with them and helping solve national problems. This cooperation between levels of government is part of federalism. During COVID-19, the federal government influenced states like New York by giving guidance and support while states carried out many of the policies and actions to respond to the pandemic.

1. In federal, confederate, and unitary states, the roles of citizens differ significantly due to the different power structures: federal citizens have a “dual identity,” participating in both local and central decision-making; unitary citizens are directly accountable to the central government, with limited local autonomy; and confederate citizens are accountable only to their own constituent states, with the central government having virtually no power.
2. The separation of powers is a constitutional system aimed at preventing the abuse of state power. The core principle is to divide state power into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial, each controlled by different institutions. These three departments have equal status, balance each other, and safeguard the freedom and rights of the people.
3. The federal government can influence the operations of state and local governments by providing funds, setting national guidelines, and offering assistance in emergencies. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government had a significant impact on New York State and its local governments’ response measures. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued health recommendations regarding mask-wearing, social distancing, and vaccination. New York State referred to these guidelines to formulate its own rules and policies. The federal government also passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), providing funds to states and cities to assist hospitals, businesses, and the unemployed. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided medical supplies and support during the crisis. In summary, the federal government influenced New York State’s decision-making during the pandemic by offering guidance, resources, and financial assistance.   
   
   

1. In federal system the power is distributed between federal and state government. That means citizens are ruled by two level of governments. Both of these government are elected by the citizens and they can create or enforce laws that can affect the the citizens directly. In a unitary system the national government has more power than state or local government. In this system local goverment depends on national goverment for authority there for the citizens under this system interact more with the national goverment. In confedarate system the central government has less power than local government and they depend on the states for authority therefore the citizens are more influenced by the local government.
2. Under federalism in the US the power of authority is divided into two levels. These are federal goverment and state government. The divison of power prevent one level of government from having too much power in this way they cannot abuse the authority that they have. The constitution decides what kind of responsibiltes will each level of this goverment will have and how will they function. For example the federal goverment handles matters regarding foreign affairs and interstate finance. The state goverment has responsiblities like managing public health, education, public safety. Some powers like collecting taxes or enforcing laws can be exercised by both groups. This division of power ensures both government work togther while maintaing their responsibility.
3. The federal government shapes the action of local and state government by providing them with necessary resources and funds. According to my research the federal goverment funded NY state with 5.1 billion dollars through the coronavirus releif fund during Covid-19. it helped influencing the actions of local goverment as the money supported things like hospitals, testing and emergency services. The federal releif program also provided funding for schools, healthcare and businesses to recover economically. The state had their own rules like mandatory social distance, lockdown, certain business rules too. This demonstrates how federal government offers support and guidance to state government and how they co-operate together.

1. In a federal system, citizens participate in government at both the national and state levels. People vote for federal leaders such as the president and members of Congress, but they also vote for state and local officials.
   In a confederation system, most of the power is held by the states, and the central government is much weaker. This means citizens are mainly governed through their state governments.
   In a unitary system, the central government has most of the power. Local governments exist, but they only have authority that the national government allows them to have.
2. The division of power is about how authority is shared between different levels of government. For example, the U.S. federal government handles national issues like defense and foreign policy, while states manage things like education and local laws. Some powers are shared, like collecting taxes. I see it as a way to balance power and prevent one level of government from controlling everything.
3. The federal government often influences states through funding, laws, and national programs. During the COVID 19 pandemic, the federal government gave financial support to states like New York for testing, hospitals, and vaccines. New York also made its own decisions about things like lockdowns, mask rules, and business restrictions. This shows how federalism works, where the federal government provides support and guidance, but states make the final decisions.

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.