1. Sovereignty: In a union, the member states surrender some of their sovereignty to the central government, which has the authority to make decisions and enforce them on all members. In contrast, a confederation is a looser alliance where the member states retain their full sovereignty. They cooperate on specific issues but maintain control over their own internal affairs.
2. Central Government: A union has a central government with various powers and responsibilities. This government is usually responsible for foreign policy, defense, currency, interstate trade, and other matters of common interest. In a confederation, the central government is much weaker and generally limited to coordinating actions between member states. It does not have the same level of authority as in a union.
3. Decision-Making: In a union, decisions are typically made by the central government, either through a legislature or executive body. The member states have a say in these decisions, but the central government has the final say. In a confederation, decisions are usually made by unanimous agreement among the member states. This can make it difficult to reach consensus and implement policies.
4. Enforcing Decisions: In a union, the central government has the power to enforce its decisions on the member states. This is usually done through laws, regulations, and judicial mechanisms. In a confederation, enforcing decisions is more challenging because the central government lacks direct authority over the member states.
5. Withdrawal: In a union, member states typically have the right to secede or withdraw from the union, although the process may be complex and subject to certain conditions. In a confederation, member states have the right to withdraw at any time without facing significant legal or political consequences.
Overall, a union is a more integrated political entity with a stronger central government, shared sovereignty, and the ability to make and enforce decisions. A confederation is a looser alliance where member states retain full sovereignty and cooperate on specific issues without surrendering their independence.