Although federation and confederation are derived from the same I atin root, yet they are quite different forms of organising the States. A ton federation may be defined as a group or association of two or more sovereign States which have permanently given up part of their liberty for some specific aims and objects, such as defence. A confederation is stronger Ilian an alliance between sovereign States, but weaker than a federal union. A confederation does not put an end to the sovereignty of the confederated Slates, as a federation does. It is a union of States and not a united State as a federation is. German words explain the distinction between a confederation mid a federation very clearly. A federation is a Bundes-staat,<\/em> a united State, while a confederation is a Staatenbund<\/em> i.e., the union of States.<\/p>