What type of governance does a confederation provide?

A confederation is characterized by an alliance of independent states that come together for certain common purposes. This form of governance allows the member states to maintain their sovereignty while delegating limited authority to a central body to address specific issues that affect all states, such as defense or trade. Each state retains significant control over its own affairs, which distinguishes a confederation from a more centralized form of government, such as a federation where power is shared more equally between the national and state levels.

In a confederation, the central authority often has limited powers and relies on the states for enforcement of decisions and cooperation, which exemplifies a voluntary association among the member states. This structure enables the states to work together while still allowing them to act independently, often leading to a situation where collective action can be complicated due to differing interests among the members. This format is useful for organizations that value state or regional autonomy while also seeking some level of collaboration.

The other options suggest forms of governance that either centralize authority, limit citizen participation, or maintain a single-party system, all of which do not align with the fundamental characteristics of a confederation.