De facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means "in fact" or "in practice". It is commonly used in contrast to de jure (meaning "by law") when referring to matters of law, governance, or technique (such as standards), that are found in the common experience as created or developed without or against a regulation.

De facto rulers

In politics, a de facto leader of a country or region is one who has assumed authority, regardless of whether by lawful, constitutional, or legitimate means; very frequently the term is reserved for those whose power is thought by some faction to be held by unlawful, unconstitutional, or otherwise illegitimate means, often by deposing a previous leader or undermining the rule of a current one. De facto leaders need not hold a constitutional office, and may exercise power in an informal manner. Their authority cannot be denied however, which forces their position as ruler to be recognized. However, it should be noted that not all dictators are de facto rulers. For example, Augusto Pinochet of Chile initially came to power as the chairman of a military junta, but then later amended the nation's constitution and made himself President, thus making him the formal and legal ruler of Chile.

Related Topics:
Dictator - Augusto Pinochet - Chile - Military junta - President

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Another example of a de facto ruler is someone who is not the actual ruler, but exerts great or total influence over the true ruler, which is quite common in monarchies. Some examples of these de-facto rulers are Empress Dowager Cixi of China (for sons Tongzhi and Guangxu Emperors), Prince Alexander Menshikov (for his former lover Empress Catherine I of Russia), Cardinal Richelieu of France (for Louis XIII), and Queen Marie Caroline of Naples and Sicily (for her husband King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies).

Related Topics:
Empress Dowager Cixi - Tongzhi - Guangxu - Alexander Menshikov - Catherine I - Cardinal Richelieu - Louis XIII - Marie Caroline of Naples and Sicily - Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies

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Some notable true de facto leaders have been Deng Xiaoping of the People's Republic of China and General Manuel Noriega of Panama. Both of these men exercised near-total control over their respective nations for many years, despite not having either legal constitutional office or the legal authority to exercise power.

Related Topics:
Deng Xiaoping - People's Republic of China - Manuel Noriega - Panama

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