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  Governance of any modern state involves an organized system that guarantees enforcement of the laws, implementation of policies, and the provision of fundamental services to the citizens.  The bureaucracy, often referred to as the "administrative machinery" of the government, is situated at the core of the system.  While politicians define the policies and create laws, the bureaucracy translates the policies into action. Bureaucracy is revered for its capability to bring order and stability, and blamed for inefficiency and rigidity.  Its role in governance cannot be ignored, as it is the organization that provides the connection between government decisions and everyday life.  This article addresses the role of bureaucracy in governance, its positives, negatives, and the thin line that needs to be balanced for effective administration. What Is Bureaucracy? The term "bureaucracy" derives from the French word bureau (office or desk) and the Greek word kratos (po...

  Elections are the cornerstone of democratic governance, allowing citizens to choose their leaders and the course of public policy.  Voting is simple enough a citizen casts a ballot, and the candidate who gets the most votes is the winner but running an election is much more complex.  Organizing an election requires careful planning, legal oversight, and strict adherence to procedures in order to be fair, open, and credible. This article describes in great detail how elections are conducted, the various means of voting, how votes are tallied, and how the integrity of the electoral process is safeguarded. #1 Getting Ready for an Election: The electoral process starts months, occasionally years, in advance of the time voters go to the polls.  Preparation entails a series of administrative, logistical, and legal steps. A) Fixing the Date of the Election: Election dates are fixed by law or constitution in most democracies.  Regular fixed intervals general elections...

  The judiciary plays a pivotal role in any democratic state.  One of the three arms of government along with the executive and the legislature the judiciary is the guardian of the constitution, the rule of law, and the rights of citizens.  A successful democratic community hinges on an independent, impartial, and strong judiciary to function smoothly and fairly. In its ideal form, the judiciary keeps any individual or institution, even the government, from being above the law.  The judiciary adjudicates cases, interprets statutes, enforces fundamental freedoms, and is a necessary check against abuse of power.  This article delineates at length the role, significance, and challenges of the judiciary in a democratic regime. #1 The Organizational Framework of the Judiciary in a Democracy: In all but a few democracies, the courts are structured in a hierarchical manner, with lower courts, appellate courts, and a supreme or constitutional court.  The number and...

  In any democratic state, there must be a balance of powers between branches so that accountability, rule of law, and safeguarding of individual rights can be ensured.  Among all these branches executive, legislative, and judicial only the executive branch plays a central and dynamic role.  Given the responsibility of enforcing the law, making national defense, overseeing foreign policy, and managing government operations, the executive branch helps significantly in the day-to-day conduct of the state and stability of governance. It is important to grasp the executive branch's function in order to grasp the overall government structure, enforcement of laws, and leadership at the highest level. Defining the Executive Branch: One of the three branches of government, the executive branch is generally responsible for enforcing and implementing laws enacted by the legislative branch.  The executive branch consists of: The Head of State (e.g., president, monarch) The Head...