Introduction
While they may sometimes be confused, the head of state and head of government are different positions fulfilled by two different parties in parliamentary forms of government. Within a monarchy, federation, republic, commonwealth, and other state forms, the head of state is a person who serves as the primary public representative. They are considered the leaders of their nations and the country’s first citizens. Depending on the country, their role can be ceremonial, such as in the U.K. and Japan, where the monarch is the head of state. In contrast, the head of state is elected president in Germany, Austria, Israel, and other countries.
Head of State: Powers and Responsibilities
The head of state’s key role is attending ceremonial events and political functions, exercising their political powers, and legitimizing the state. The leader is expected to greet foreign diplomats and leaders during the functions. When it comes to political power, they call parliament sessions. In addition, the head of state can facilitate early elections. It is responsible for signing off on all passed laws if they operate within the parliamentary form of government.
The head of state is also the Chief of the Armed Forces. Suppose there are external threats that Israel, for instance, frequently deals with. In that case, the president is tasked with making crucial decisions on the country’s Armed Forces operations (Lopez). The leadership role of the head of state is particularly important in such instances.
In their role as the country’s main executive, the head of state is responsible for implementing foreign policies. This entails that the president can exercise their powers both domestically and internationally. Their powers are limited through the existing system of checks and balances. In a perfect scenario, the international affairs in which the head of state engages must align with their country’s national interests and facilitate fruitful collaboration with other states.
For example, cooperation between the countries within the European Union emphasizes promoting peace in the region, sustaining democratic values, and pursuing the well-being of its citizens. Thus, when the heads of state of European countries engage in foreign affairs collaboration, their decisions are based on the central values and objectives that the union sets. However, when it is necessary to protect the interests of a nation that may be overlooked, the head of state is responsible for pointing them out and acting to benefit their country first.
As a legislative facilitator, the head of state is expected to leverage the proposals that do not serve the country’s interests. This is because many such proposals seem to favor the representatives of the executive branch. However, the president does not have power over the legislative branch, which means that they cannot introduce any proposals directly and will likely act indirectly to ensure that the laws being passed are fair. For example, in the United Kingdom, a constitutional monarchy, royal assent is used to show the monarch’s formal approval of a legislative act (U.K. Parliament). Even though it has been very rare for royals to veto legislation in the last several centuries, except for political emergencies or governmental advice, their power to do so has not been taken away.
Finally, as the chief of the country’s citizens, the head of state is expected to assume the role-model position and lead by example. For instance, in countries such as the U.S., the people elect the head of the state, which is why the chosen candidate is responsible for leading the nation to both long- and short-term success. Besides, the citizens may demand that the head of state, such as the president, honor their opinions and dissatisfaction in most cases. In instances when the head of state is not elected, such as in the United Kingdom or the Netherlands, the head of state becomes such after the previous head of state’s demise. As the citizens’ chief, the monarch represents the interests and rights of citizens.
Head of Government: Role and Functions
In a system where the government precedes over the president, the Prime Minister (Premier) is the head of the government. They are the leader of the ruling party and take on the role of the chief of the executive government branch, thus presiding over a cabinet. In the United States, the president is the head of state and government, responsible for executing and enforcing the laws created by Congress (The White House). Thus, in absolute monarchies and the forms of presidential government, the head of government is also the head of state.
The head of government could be the highest official in the country if they are in the presidential system, or the second most senior official in other forms. The head of government tends to have various roles compared to the ones attained by the head of state, except in a presidential republic, where their roles tend to coincide with one individual, the president. In other instances, they are the prime minister and answer to the head of state, considered a higher-standing authority position.
In their role, the head of government presides over the cabinet rather than the head of state. For instance, in the U.K., the king or queen will never be found debating with cabinet members in the House (Haddon and Lilly). Even though they could advise on some policies, it is the prime minister’s job to lead the government, ensuring that everything is considered, including the monarch’s recommendations, before a law is passed.
Another component of the head of the government’s role is appointing and dismissing ministers, which means they could recommend ministers to the head of state. In addition, the head of government will follow the directives made by the higher standing authority, the head of state. Finally, in the parliamentary system, heads of state cannot make explicit political decisions but can make recommendations. The prime minister will lead the decision-making process for resolving issues raised by parliamentary members.
Conclusion
In presidential government forms, the head of state and the government are the president, who is not the leading legislator. In parliamentary forms, the prime minister is the head of government and presides over the legislative branch. In monarchies, federations, republics, and commonwealths, the head of state is the main public representative who may either be elected or inherit their position from the preceding monarch. The head of state is crucial for legitimizing and exercising political and ceremonial roles.
Works Cited
Haddon, Catherine, and Alice Lilly. “King’s Speech.” Institute for Government, Web.
Lopes, Todd C. “U.S., Israeli Leaders Discuss Partnerships, Threats in Middle East.” U.S. Department of Defense, Web.
The White House. “The Executive Branch.” White House, Web.
UK Parliament. “Royal Assent.” Parliament UK, 2023, Web.