Question

which is a characteristic of a federal state?
a. governmental authority resides entirely in the central government
b. governmental power is shared
c. governmental power is held by a single individual
d. governmental power belongs to the people

Explanation:

A federal state is defined by a system where governing power is divided and shared between a national (central) government and regional (state/provincial) governments, with each having distinct areas of authority. Option A describes a unitary state, option C describes an autocracy/dictatorship, and option D describes a democratic system (which can exist in non-federal states too).

Answer:

B. governmental power is shared