In a confederacy, how is the relationship between the central government and the states typically characterized?

In a confederacy, the central government is characterized as subordinate to the states. This type of governmental structure is based on a union of sovereign states, where the primary power resides within those individual states rather than the central authority. The central government typically operates with limited powers, which are granted to it by the states themselves.

States in a confederacy maintain their independence and have the ability to make decisions without interference from the central government. Consequently, the relationship is such that the states hold more authority and autonomy, and any powers exercised by the central government are usually derived from a consensus among the states. This framework results in a decentralized political system where each state acts as an independent entity and has the ability to withdraw from the union, emphasizing the subordinate nature of the central authority.

This distinctive characteristic sets confederacies apart from other forms of government, such as federal systems where the division of power is more balanced or where the central government exercises significant control over the states.