Head of state vs head of government

… a core term in Governance and Institutions and Atlas100

Definition

In a parliamentary system, the head of state can be a monarch or her representative whereas in a presidential system the president can be both the head of government and the head of state.

Reference.com describes the difference as follows:

“Although the head of state [in a parliamentary system] usually does not hold any type of executive or legislative role, she holds a symbolic role. A head of state acts as a symbol of national identity and helps promote unity and pride. She also acts as the symbol of the nation for the international community, receiving and hosting foreign ambassadors. The ability to pass legislation is left in the hands of the head of government.

The head of government oversees the operation of the civil service and government agencies and appoints members of the government. In a presidential system, a single individual holds both titles and does both sets of duties. This is seen in the United States, South America and some African countries.”

As to the question of whether Canada’s head of state is The Queen or the Governor General, see Governor General of Canada.

Atlas topic, subject, and course

Constitutional Framework (core topic) in Governance and Institutions and Atlas100 Governance and Institutions.

Source

Reference.com, What is the difference between “head of state” and “head of government”?, at https://www.reference.com/government-politics/difference-between-head-state-head-government-22050887e8779784, accessed 15 August 2016.

Page created by: Ian Clark, last modified on 25 August 2016.

Main Difference

There are various forms of rulers which run the country on the basis of their peoples will, political power or other factors. Countries have different powers and ways of running a country and the two among these are Head of State and Head of Government. These two are the country leaders in different parts of the world and have various differences among them which will be detailed in this article. The main difference is that; head of the government is the head of a parliamentary form of government while head of the state is the head in the presidential form of government. There is no requirement of having a head of government when the presidential system is intact while there is always a head of state even when parliamentary system is implemented. Head of state keeps the main powers of passing a legislation with itself in both the systems while the head of government does not have these power in the presidential system. Usually a head of government is appointed by elected group of people or by another head of state such as Queen in the United Kingdom but a head of state is always the leader of its party and selected with the consent of parliament. Meeting the head of states in most cases is the responsibility of the head of state while head of government may or may not perform these activities. From this, it can be concurred that a president is the head of state as well as the head of government while a prime minister is the head of the government. The responsibility of head of government includes making policies, trade agreements and other daily matters while the head of state has the duty to approve these actions in due course. When the head of government takes the main role in a parliamentary system the head of state becomes just a symbol while the same case happens if head of state appoints head of government in a presidential system. Brief descriptions on both these types of leaders is given in the next two paragraphs while differences will be discussed again at the end.

Head of state vs head of government
Head of State vs. Head of Government — Is There a Difference?

Difference Between Head of State and Head of Government

Head of State vs. Head of Government

A prime minster is the head of a government while a president is the head of the state.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

The head of government has to be the member of parliament while head of the state can be selected from a non-parliament member.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

In most parliamentary systems head of government is the head of state while in the presidential system, head of the state is the head of government.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

In general terms, a head of the state signs off the official documents while the head of government actually makes those documents.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

The head of government and country in America is the president while in the UK, the prime minister is appointed as head of the government by the queen who is the head of state.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

Making trade agreements and other deals is the responsibility of the head of government while approving these is the duty of head of the state.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

Head of the state can remove head of government of a country while the head of government cannot remove head of the state and can only be done so with the help of parliament.

Head of State vs. Head of Government

In case of army takeover, the army chief can assume the post of head of the state while he cannot become head of the government.

Comparison Chart

Head of State Head of Government
Head of state is the name given to the president of the country who does not always deal in the government matter but is seen as a sign of unity between different parts of the country. The head of government which is also known as the Prime Minister is a person who is responsible for all the decisions which are taken during the time he is in the office.
System
In most parliamentary systems head of government is the head of state in the presidential system, head of the state is the head of government.
Duties
approving the agreements and laws is the duty of head of the state. Making trade agreements and other deals
Power
Head of the state can remove head of government head of government cannot remove head of the state

Definition of Head of Government

The head of government which is also known as the Prime Minister is a person who is responsible for all the decisions which are taken during the time he is in the office. It is the responsibility of the head of the government to assure that the best interests of the state are taken into consideration. The PM is required to meet different leaders of the world, people from different fields of live along with the part where he is to take decisions regarding trade and defense. In addition to that a head of government announces new laws which the government had assured people before coming in power and all the other promises that they made. Mostly he is free of any external pressures but in some cases, when appointed by the head of state, especially in the monarch or dictatorial system his contribution towards the country is left minimum. In real democracy though, he is the head of government which comes into power after winning majority of the seats in elections. They can be removed anytime by the president and have the duty to appoint different people in key positions to run the system in a proper way.

Definition of Head of State

Head of state is the name given to the president of the country who does not always deal in the government matter but is seen as a sign of unity between different parts of the country. This is not the most famously followed political leader role since most of the power and working capacity lies with the prime minster but he is considered the head of country and no law can be passed without their signature. They also have the power to appoint a prime minister or remove them if the work is not satisfactory. There are some cases in which roles are changed and the best example of this is the United Sates where President holds the power throughout its reign and acts as the head of state as well as head of the government. Many other countries appoint this post as a ceremonial and a person who does not actually have the right criteria since there is no obligation to appoint a president from the member of parliaments anyone who belongs to the county can be appointed at this post in a parliamentary system. This system is not that common in the world but has the main source of power with one person just like monarchy.

Conclusion

There are many differences between the two terms, that have been listed down in detail with a broader explanation. They may be related in a way that the aim is to provide details to others but their usage and the context in which they are spoken are variable. Expectantly, you can easily make the difference.

What does head of state mean?

head of state, the highest representative of a sovereign state, who may or may not also be its head of government. The role of the head of state is primarily representative, serving to symbolize the unity and integrity of the state at home and abroad.

What is difference between head of state and head of government?

Formally the head of state can also be the head of government as well (ex officio or by ad hoc cumulation, such as a ruling monarch exercising all powers himself) but otherwise has formal precedence over the Head of Government and other ministers, whether he is their actual political superior (ruling monarch, executive ...