How is a federal system of government different from a unitary or confederate one?

A federal system of government divides power between a central authority and regional entities, allowing both levels to govern simultaneously over the same territory. In contrast, a unitary system centralizes power in a single national government, with little to no autonomy granted to local governments. A confederate system, on the other hand, consists of independent states that delegate limited powers to a central authority, often retaining significant sovereignty. This leads to a stronger emphasis on regional autonomy in confederations compared to the balanced power-sharing in federal systems.