In the present stage of political development, the states of the world are coming out of the shell of political and economic isolation and are entering into economic and political unions of various types under common government organizations. On the basis of the degree of political unity, we may divide them into the following forms :

(a) International Administration Union:

Such a union is formed by a number of sovereign states for some specific purpose. As for example management of Suez Canal was entrusted to the Administrative control of a number of states.

(b) Personal Union:

A personal union is a union of a number of states under the same king. The uniting states retain their separate identity and governmental organization but they own allegiance to a common sovereign. They have separate diplomatic relations with foreign states. Thus in international affairs each stale retains a distinct personality. An example of such a personal union is furnished by the union of Hanover and England between 1814-37. Likewise Scotland and England had a personal union between 1603-07.

(c) Confederation:

The term confederation is derived from the Latin word fuedus which means treaty or agreement. A confederation is a loose association of various sovereign states. Member-states of a confederation do not lose their sovereign status.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

It is a partial union and rests on the consent of the members of the confederation. The slates forming a confederation create a common central organization for spe­cific purposes. The resolution passed by the central body arc not directly binding upon the citizens but are addressed to the member-states which may enforce the resolutions upon their citizens.

The central organization is merely an agent of the member-states and usually deals with common matters like foreign affairs, defence, inter state commerce etc. The member-states of confederation enjoy the right to secede.

A confederation is essentially not the creation of a new state with all the elements of sovereignty. It does not create separate flag and citizen­ship. It cannot demand allegiance from its citizens since it is concerned with the member states and not directly with the citizens. It depends for its revenue and powers on the constituent states. Formation of confedera­tions was a popular affair in ancient Greece. In the middle ages, the Lambared League the Hanseatic League and the Rhenish League were noteworthy examples. Switzerland is a confederation.