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Revision as of 22:10, 22 February 2003 by Jtdirl (talk | contribs) (start of a major rewrite)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The head of state is the person who represents a country or state in diplomatic protocol. On behalf of their state, they are responsible for receiving and sending a Letter of Credence from or to another head of state, appointing an ambassador.
The Head of State and the Government
In Presidential systems or in absolute monarchies, a head of state is normally not merely head of state but the chief executive officer of the government. The principle example of this is the United States.
In parliamentary systems, executive authority may theorectically be vested in the head of state but it is exercised by a cabinet, presided over by a Prime Minister who is in reality answerable to parliament. Though the vast majority of states vest executive authority in a head of state (for example, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Italy, etc,) a small minority do not do so (for example, Republic of Ireland and Sweden).
In some semi-presidential systems, a president may be an active player in government, with the government answerable in practice both to the head of state and parliament. The most striking example is the current Fifth French Republic
Types of Head of State
Heads of state may
- be elected (usually in a republic, with the head of state being called the 'President'. Though the Holy See is a monarchy, its monarch, the pope is elected for life.)
- inherit the position (in monarchies, where the head of state may be called the King or queen, Prince or Grand Duke).
- seize power (dictators often use the title 'president', though some proclaim themselves monarchs.)
In some states, where the the one person holds multiple headships of state, they may be represented by a Governor-General. (Examples: Canada, Australia and New Zealand, where the monarch, Queen Elizabeth II resides in another of her kingdoms, the United Kingdom and so is represented by a governor-general. Though the governor-general may fulfill many of the roles of a head of state, s/he is not a head of state themselves, but the representative of the head of state.