The confederal system of government is unpopular because ___________

Analyze the question: It asks why a confederal system is generally unpopular as a form of government.

Explain the concept: A confederation is a loose union of independent, sovereign states that come together for limited common purposes such as defence or trade. Examples include the Commonwealth of Independent States and the early United States under the Articles of Confederation (1781-1789).

Key features:

• Sovereignty rests with the component units (states), not the central government.
• The central authority is weak and depends on the units for funds, laws, and enforcement.
• Member states can often withdraw (secede) freely.
• Decisions at the centre need the consent of the member states.

Step-by-step solution:

• A. Oligarchy: Oligarchy is rule by a small group. It is not a defining feature of confederalism, so this is wrong.
• B. Does not follow due process: This has nothing to do with the structure of a confederation, so it is wrong.
• C. Discourages rapid development: This could be a consequence of a weak centre, but it is not the main reason. It is a side effect, not the defining cause.
• D. All the component units are sovereign: This is the core reason. Because the units keep their sovereignty, the central government is weak, cannot enforce its decisions, and cannot hold the union together. This makes confederations unstable and prone to breaking up, which is why few countries adopt them.

Answer: D

Tip: For questions on confederalism, link it to "sovereignty with the units, a weak centre." Federalism has shared sovereignty, and the unitary system has sovereignty at the centre. Remembering this triangle helps you answer many Government questions.