executive power

Society

2022

We explain what the executive branch is, who makes it up, its functions, powers and other characteristics.

The executive branch is in charge of decision-making and diplomatic tasks.

What is the executive branch?

The executive branch is one of the three public powers that constitute the Condition modern, together with the legislative and judicial. Unlike the others, the executive is responsible for the political leadership and management of the State, that is, for the decision making and diplomatic tasks. Thus, it administers and executes the popular will.

The executive power is one of the most visible and disputed, since from it different projects of society. For this reason, whoever owns it is usually considered directly responsible for the successes or failures that the country experiences during its management, which usually has a pre-established start and end date in accordance with the current constitutional text.

The role of the executive within the States, that is, of its leadership, was formerly held by other models of head of State, generally absolute and for life, such as the Kings, the caudillos and other figures that normally came from the military branch and / or or of the social elites.

Since the fall of the Old Regime and the Absolutist Monarchy, the executive power is always understood under the control of the other public powers, in order to reduce the risk of tyrannies.

Characteristics of the executive branch

The executive power corresponds to the daily management of the State at its different levels, that is, it deals with decision-making politics that encompass the economy, domestic policy, foreign policy, social policies, collection of taxes, etc.

Thus, the positions of the executive branch are elected for a specific period, the beginning and end of which is determined in advance, and for which they may or may not be reelected, depending on what the Constitution and electoral regulations express in this regard. Other positions, on the other hand, are expressly appointed by the elected authorities, such as the president.

On the other hand, each position is usually sole proprietorship, that is, held by a person specific at the same time, which can be replaced at the end of their work or as an emergency replacement. This usually entails responsibilities important, for which the person must then answer to the State itself.

Who makes up the executive branch?

Starting with the headquarters of the government, that is, by the President or Prime Minister, the executive power is made up of the visible head of the State, in charge of representing it, together with the diplomatic corps that it designates, abroad.

Usually the president is elected by vote (direct or indirect) and comes from the local political parties, although he can also be an independent actor. Presidential elections are usually political events of great importance in the social, political and economic life of countries.

Next to him will be the governors, mayors, mayors or similar regional and local positions, who are the representatives of the same public Power at a much more particular geographic level. They are elected in the same way.

It also includes the entire ministerial train, which makes up the government cabinet, headed in some cases by the vice president. However, the structure The exact nature of the executive power, like that of the other powers, will always be determined by the country's legal system, that is, by the Constitution.

Functions and powers of the executive branch

In general, the executive branch has two essential functions:

  • Political function. It consists of leading society along the path that best allows satisfying its historical needs, making the pertinent decisions to negotiate in the most convenient way unprecedented situations: international treaties, irregular situations, commercial exchanges, etc.
  • Administrative function. It consists of managing and managing the State so that it fulfills in the most efficient way possible with its tasks contemplated in the Constitution, for which it is essential to orchestrate the ministries, municipalities, governorates, Business and public bodies, etc.

The executive branch in Mexico

Mexico, like most of the countries of the region, is governed by a presidential democracy. For this reason, at the head of the executive power is a president-elect in free, secret and direct voting, for a period of six years, without the possibility of re-election.

According to article 89 of the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States, the functions of the president are:

  • Enact and execute the laws that the Congress approves, and direct the administrative sphere;
  • Appoint some officials of the public administration federal;
  • Direct the foreign policy of the State;
  • Lead the public administration and promote laws or decrees in front of Congress.

On the other hand, the 32 States (including Mexico City, governed by its own Head of Government) that make up the Mexican federation also elect their own governor.

The governor of each state is the head of the local public administration and has his own cabinet with various secretariats, agencies and directorates, just as the President has ministries and other entities that have authority in the entire Mexican territory.

Other public powers

Apart from the executive, the other powers of the state are:

  • Legislative power. Constituted by the parliament (assembly, congress, etc.) and its members elected by popular will, whether they are only deputies or deputies and senators, it is the entity in charge of drafting, approving, modifying or repealing the laws that govern society, as well as manage the budget national and control it.
  • Power of attorney. Made up of the judges who, in turn, make up the different courts of the Organization chart hierarchical of the State, it is responsible for ensuring compliance with the law in society, both by the other two public powers, as well as ordinary citizens. Therefore, it has the power to interpret the constitutional text in its original spirit, and it is also the only one of the three public powers that is not freely elected by the electorate.
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