In a confederate system, from whom do the state governments derive their power?

In a confederate system, state governments derive their power directly from the people. This structure emphasizes the autonomy and sovereignty of individual states, allowing them to govern themselves based on the consent of their citizens. Since the central authority in a confederation is typically limited, these state governments operate independently and are reliant on the will and decisions of their local populations.

This contrasts with a federal system where power is shared between a national government and the states, with each level deriving its authority from a constitution. In a confederation, the states unite primarily for specific purposes, such as defense or trade, but maintain their independence and power directly from the people they serve.