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Difficulty: MediumFederal System of Government

In a federal system of government, the federating component units derive their constitutional authority directly from the central government, which retains the legal right to alter their powers at will.

Answer: Answer

Answer

False. Component units in a federal system derive their constitutional authority directly from a supreme written constitution, not from the central government.
The statement is false because in a federal system, the powers of federating units are constitutionally guaranteed and derived directly from a supreme written constitution. The central government has no legal right to unilaterally alter, withdraw, or diminish the powers of component units.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source of power for regional units described in the statement.
The statement claims regional units derive their power from and are subordinate to the central government.
Determining whether power flows from a central authority or a constitution reveals the underlying constitutional structure.
2
Compare this with the fundamental principles of federalism.
In a federal system, authority is divided by a supreme written constitution, establishing coordinate (equal) status between tiers of government.
Neither tier of government in a federation can unilaterally redefine or revoke the constitutional powers of the other.
3
Formulate the conclusion.
The description given corresponds to devolution in a unitary government, rendering the statement false for a federal system.
Federalism guarantees constitutional autonomy to federating units beyond the central government's control.

Key Concept

Constitutional Source of Authority in Federalism
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Federal System of Government

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