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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Federation and Republic?

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The main difference between a federation and a republic lies in the distribution of power and the structure of government.

  • Federation: A federation is a political entity comprised of a group of states, provinces, or entities that come together to form a single nation. In a federation, power is shared between a central government and the individual member states. The United States is an example of a federation, where the national government and the state governments both exercise sovereignty over specific matters.
  • Republic: A republic is a form of government in which the people hold power, but elect representatives to exercise that power on their behalf. The supreme authority or sovereignty is vested in the people, who exercise their right to vote and elect representatives. A republic can be part of a federation, as in the case of the United States, which is both a republic and a federation.

In summary, a federation refers to the structure of government and the distribution of power between the central government and member states, while a republic refers to the manner in which the government is elected and the sovereignty of the people. A country can be both a federation and a republic, as in the case of the United States.

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  • What is the Difference Between Federation and Republic?
  • Comparative Table: Federation vs Republic

    • Comparative Table: Federation vs Republic

    Here is a table comparing the differences between a federation and a republic:

    Feature Federation Republic
    Definition A federation is a political union where power is shared between a central government and constituent political entities, such as states or provinces. A republic is a form of government where the country's supreme power lies in the hands of its citizens, who elect representatives to make laws and govern on their behalf.
    Formation A federation is formed when multiple self-governing entities come together and create a central government to manage common interests, such as defense and foreign policy. A republic is a form of government established by a constitution, which outlines the roles and responsibilities of government officials and protects the rights of citizens.
    Structure In a federation, there are two levels of government: the central government and the regional governments of the constituent entities. In a republic, power is divided among multiple branches of government, such as the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
    Examples Canada, the United States, Brazil, Switzerland, and Malaysia are examples of federations. The United States, France, India, and South Africa are examples of republics.

    A federation can be both a republic and a monarchy, as it primarily deals with the logistics of running a country and the distribution of power.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.