Confederation (Poland–Lithuania)

A konfederacja (Polish: [kɔ̃fɛdɛˈrat͡sja] ⓘ, confederation, confederacy) was an ad hoc association formed by the nobility (szlachta), clergy, and municipalities to pursue their stated aims or act in place of state authority, created in Poland and Lithuania between the 13th and 19th centuries. A konfederacja often took the form of an armed union aimed at redressing perceived abuses or trespasses by some authority, such as the royal authority. These "confederations" acted in place of state authority or to force their demands upon that authority.

They could be seen as a primary expression of direct democracy and the right of revolution in the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, allowing nobles to act on their grievances and against the central authority. Its origins can be traced back to medieval resistance law (Latin: ius resistendi) against the ruler. A characteristic feature of the confederation was named membership: the list of its members was drawn up at the time of its formation. Since the formation occurred for the realisation of a predetermined goal, the confederation was temporary.

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