Advanced Placement (AP) Human Geography Practice Exam

How does a federal state differ from other government types?

1. It centralizes all power at the national level

2. It divides powers between central and regional authorities

3. It has no defined political units

4. It operates under a monarchy

The correct answer is: It divides powers between central and regional authorities

A federal state is characterized by its division of powers between central and regional authorities. This structure allows different levels of government to have designated responsibilities and autonomy, which can lead to a more localized form of governance. In contrast to a unitary state, where power is concentrated at the national level (which refers to the first option), a federal state allows for regional governments to exercise authority over certain policy areas, promoting a balance of power. The second option highlights the essence of a federal system, which is the coexistence of varying levels of governance with distinct functions. Type C, which states that a federal state has no defined political units, is inaccurate because federal systems are marked by clearly delineated political units, such as states or provinces, each with specific powers and responsibilities. Lastly, the fourth option relates to monarchy, which describes a different type of political organization where a single individual (the monarch) holds centralized power, rather than distributing authority among multiple tiers of government like in a federal system.