A political union is a type of political entity . They are usually made up of smaller polities . These smaller administrative divisions are usually called federated states and federal territories in a federal government . In a centralized government , they are often prefectures , regions or provinces . This form of government may be created by cession . This is usually called unionism. [ a] unionism . In other cases, it may come from political unification . This involves coercion and conquest . If states were separated after being a single states , putting them back together would be reunification .[ 2] East and West Germany joined back together as Germany . The individual constituent entities may have devolution of powers but they must still follow the rules of a central government . In a federalised system, the constituent entities usually have internal autonomy . For example, they normally have the power to setup their own police departments . They normally give the federal government power in many areas. These often include military forces and foreign affairs . The union is seen by other countries as a single political entity.
Notes
↑ In a different use of the term, unionism is used for membership or support of labour or trade unions . The term pro-union or -unity is sometimes used for political unionism instead of "unionism".[ 1]
References
