The Syructure and Organization of Government

THE STRUCTURE AND ORGANISATION OF GOVERNMENT

INTRODUCTION

In all the political party system of the world, there are three arms of government, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. These are the rule-making, rule-application and rule-adjudication organs of government. We shall discuss in greater detail, the role of each structure in the process of government.

THE EXECUTIVE

Those who apply the authoritative rules and policies of a society are called the political executive. In a general sense, the executive is that branch of government which gives effect to the will of state by carrying out or executing the law of the land (constitutions, statutes, decrees, treaties, etc.). A chief executive is invested with the executive power and assisted by subordinate departments or ministries responsible to him, that carry out specific areas of law and policy.

We must recognise that in the modern states, those officials generally called ‘’executives” perform two distinct principal roles. The first is that of ‘’Chief of State’’, acting as the nations official ceremonial head and spokesman for its whole people. The second is that of ‘’Head of Government’’, acting as the leader of the office holders who propose, direct and enforce the nation’s public policies. In a parliamentary system of government, each role is performed by a distinctly different official or group of officials, whereas in the presidential system both are performed by the same official.

Executive Powers and Functions

The general powers of the executive are derived from the constitution and the laws; they include the enforcement of law, the execution of administrative policy, the conduct of foreign affairs, the control of armed forces and the authority to grant pardon and amnesty to offenders against the state. The powers of the executive are enormous. Its discretionary authority is very great. It must not merely execute law, but must take actions on many matters not covered by...