Strong central government

Operates all levels of government in a country

Assigns powers to local governments

Can take powers away from local governments

Cuba, Bolivia

Has a constitution that gives power only to the central government

Membership is voluntary

Weak central government

Strong local government

no constitution

not commonly found in today's world

European Union is an example

Power is divided or shared between the central and local governments

Has a constitution

Can not take power away from local governments

Constitution responsible for giving power to central and local governments

Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Venezuela examples