sured, is more probable. Finally, it should be noted that the fact
is in most countries there are many combinations of separation
and centralization.
At the extremes there are unitary and confederate systems of
organization. The unitary form is one in which centralization is
the key. Authority resides in one central organization where
sovereignty resides. England is one of the great modem ex
amples of the unitary form— all the power is centralized in
parliament, and there are no independent entities of any equal
power in the society. The confederate form is one in which
individual states retain sovereignty yet relate in a loose organi
zation with a central agency. The Confederate States of America
were organized to escape from the authority of the central
government in Washington. A modem example of a confed
eracy is the United Nations, in which each state is fully sovereign
but meets together as part of a centralized agency and conforms
to the rules and regulations of that agency so long as sovereignty
is not threatened.
The federal form is meant to be a kind of compromise. In a
federal government sovereignty is shared between individual
states and a central agency. The example of fifty sovereign states
and one sovereign nation as defined in the Constitution of the
United States is probably the best example of this form.
Beyond the system of separation of powers, as manifested in
the federal form, is the concept of separation of powers within
governmental entities. In American government, for example,
the central government’s power is separated into an executive
branch, a judicial branch, and a legislative branch consisting of
two houses. Each has its own particular sphere of activity and
power. Also, the concept of checks and balances exists in
America so that each branch can thwart, to an extent, the actions
of the other.
Some systems of government, then, are organized in order to
facilitate speed, efficiency, and simplicity in carrying out their
function. Others value what they see as the safeguards that are
inherent in separation, discussion, and tension. A small, homo
geneous nation might usually choose the benefits of concentrat
ing power. A large, heterogeneous country might often need to
disperse powers to serve the interests of the various constituen
cies.
134 Political Theory: The Relationship of Man and the State