Executive (government)
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Theexecutive,also referred to as thejuditianorexecutive power,is that part of government which executes the law; in other words, directly makes decisions and holds power.
Function
[edit]The scope of executive power varies greatly depending on the political context in which it emerges, and it can change over time in a given country. In democratic countries, the executive often exercises broad influence over national politics, though limitations are often applied to the executive.[1]
Inpolitical systemsbased on theseparation of powers,such as theUnited States of America,governmentauthorityis distributed between several branches in order to prevent power being concentrated in the hands of a single person or group. To achieve this, each branch is subject to checks by the other two; in general, the role of thelegislatureis to pass laws, which are then enforced by the executive, and interpreted by thejudiciary.The executive can also be the source of certain types of law or law-derived rules, such as adecreeorexecutive order.
In those that usefusion of powers,typicallyparliamentary systems,such as theUnited Kingdom,the executive forms the government, and its members generally belong to the political party that controls the legislature. Since the executive requires the support and approval of the legislature, the two bodies are "fused" together, rather than being independent. The principle ofparliamentary sovereigntymeans powers possessed by the executive are solely dependent on those granted by the legislature, which can also subject its actions to judicial review. However, the executive often has wide-ranging powers stemming from the control of the governmentbureaucracy,especially in the areas of overalleconomicorforeign policy.
Ministers
[edit]
Inparliamentarysystems, the executive isresponsibleto the elected legislature, which must maintain the confidence of the legislature or one part of it, if bicameral. In certain circumstances (varying by state), the legislature can express its lack of confidence in the executive, which causes either a change in governing party or group of parties or a general election. Parliamentary systems have a head of government (who leads the executive, often calledministers) normally distinct from the head of state (who continues through governmental and electoral changes). In theWestminster type of parliamentary system,the principle of separation of powers is not as entrenched as in some others. Members of the executive (ministers), are also members of the legislature, and hence play an important part in both the writing and enforcing of law. Inpresidential systems,the directly elected head of government appoints the ministers. The ministers can be directly elected by the voters.[2]
In this context, the executive consists of a leader or leader of an office or multiple offices. Specifically, the top leadership roles of the executive branch may include:
- head of state– often themonarch,thepresidentor thesupreme leader,the chief representative and living symbol of national unity.
- head of government– often theprime minister,overseeing theadministrationof all affairs of state.
- defence minister– overseeing thearmed forces,determining military policy, and managing external safety.
- interior minister– overseeing thepolice forces,enforcing the law, and managing internal control.
- foreign minister– overseeing thediplomatic service,determiningforeign policyand managingforeign relations.
- finance minister– overseeing the treasury, determiningfiscal policyand managingnational budget.
- justice minister– overseeing criminal prosecutions, corrections, enforcement of court orders.
- head of government– often theprime minister,overseeing theadministrationof all affairs of state.
Presidents and ministers
[edit]In apresidential system,the leader of the executive is both the head of state and government.[3]In some cases, such asSouth Korea,there is a Prime Minister who assists the President, but who is not the head of government.
In aparliamentary system,acabinetministerresponsible to thelegislatureis the head of government, while the head of state is usually a largely ceremonial monarch or president.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Martinez, Jenny S. (2006)."Inherent Executive Power: A Comparative Perspective".The Yale Law Journal.115(9): 2480–2511.doi:10.2307/20455703.ISSN0044-0094.JSTOR20455703.Archivedfrom the original on 2022-12-30.Retrieved2022-12-30.
- ^Buchs, Aurélia; Soguel, Nils (2022-04-01)."Fiscal performance and the re-election of finance ministers–evidence from the Swiss cantons".Public Choice.191(1): 31–49.doi:10.1007/s11127-021-00949-z.ISSN1573-7101.S2CID246371550.
- ^"The Executive Branch".The White House.Archivedfrom the original on 20 January 2021.Retrieved4 July2015.
- ^"Executive Branch of Government in Canada".Parliament of Canada.Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2017.Retrieved4 July2015.
