What is a confederation?

A confederation is best defined as a union of countries or states that maintain their individual sovereignty while delegating certain powers to a central authority. In this context, a confederation typically has a weaker central government compared to its member states, which retain significant autonomy and decision-making power.

The correct choice highlights that in a confederation, the central authority does not hold most political power; rather, the power primarily resides with the member states. This arrangement allows cooperating states to work together on issues of common interest while preserving their independence, which is a fundamental characteristic of confederations.

Other options reflect different forms of governance. For instance, a legal contract among states might suggest treaties or agreements but doesn't fully capture the political structure of a confederation. A union of countries with centralized political power and a form of federal government with shared powers both imply a stronger central authority than is typical in a confederation. In contrast to a confederation, a federal system distributes power between central and local authorities but maintains a higher degree of sovereignty at the national level.