The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social …

EDITORIAL LEARNING AID

Why is this answer correct?

Article 20(1) of the Basic Law calls the Federal Republic of Germany a "democratic and social federal state". A confederation or association of states is a loose union of sovereign states (like the EU), and a central state has no states of its own with independent powers.

Germany is a federal state, not a confederation of states.

This translation and explanation are editorial learning aids. The official German wording and answer key govern the examination.