Executive (government)

Under the doctrine of the separation of powers, the executive is the branch of a government charged with implementing, or executing, the law and running the day-to-day affairs of the government or state. The de facto most senior figure in an executive is referred to as the head of government. The executive may be referred to as the administration, in presidential systems, or simply as the government, in parliamentary systems.

Role of the executive

It is usually the role of the executive to:

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• Enforce the law. To achieve this the executive administers the prisons and the police force, and prosecutes criminals in the name of the state.
• Conduct the foreign relations of the state.
• Command the armed forces.
• Appoint state officials, including judges and diplomats.
• Administer government departments and public services.
• Issue executive orders (also known as secondary legislation, ordinances, edicts or decrees).

Most constitutions require that certain executive powers may only be exercised in conjunction with the legislature. For example, often the consent of the legislature is required to ratify treaties, appoint important officials, or to declare war. In the United Kingdom, however, the executive is exempt from most such limitations under the royal prerogative.

Related Topics:
Constitutions - Legislature - Treaties - United Kingdom - Royal prerogative

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