Heads of State

A head of government was the official who was primarily responsible for the political functions of the government. By contrast a head of state usually was responsible for the more ceremonial and figurehead roles. In some governments, these roles were not clear cut: compare the French president and prime minister of the twenty-first century. Similarly, the monarch of Manticore could act as head of state and government, the prime minister merely acting as her executive officer. In other nations, these roles were combined: e.g. the twenty-first century US presidency, or the Honorverse's President of the restored Republic of Haven.