1. a political system in which power is shared between a central authority and constituent states or regions that retain significant autonomy
Usage: political science term; often used in discussions of government structure and federalism
2. the principle or practice of organizing a political unit as a confederation of autonomous groups or states
Usage: political philosophy

Examples

• The Swiss model of confederalism has allowed diverse linguistic and cultural regions to coexist peacefully.
• Confederalism emphasizes the importance of local governance alongside national coordination.
• Some political theorists argue that confederalism better protects minority rights than centralized systems.
• The European Union has been described as a form of confederalism in its distribution of power.
• Confederalism requires careful balance between the autonomy of member states and the authority of the central government.