Functions of The Executive

Functions of the Executive:
1. Enforcement of Laws:
The primary function of the executive is to enforce laws and maintain law and order in the
state. Whenever a breach of law takes place, it is the responsibility of the executive to plug
the breach and bring the offenders to book. Each government department is responsible for
the implementation of the laws and policies concerning its work. For maintaining law and
order in the state, the executive organizes and maintains the police force.
2. Appointment-making Functions:
All major appointments are made by the chief executive. For example, the President of India
appoints the Chief Justice and other Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts.
Ambassadors, Advocate General of India, Members of Union Public Service Commission,
Governors of States, etc.
Likewise, the President of the United States makes a very large number of key
appointments. All the secretaries who head various government departments, Judges of the
Supreme Court and other Federal Courts, the Federal officials in the States, etc., are
appointed by the US President. However, all such appointments require the approval of the
US Senate (Upper House US Congress i.e. Parliament).
The members of the civil service are also appointed by the Chief executive. This is, usually,
done on the recommendation of a service recruitment commission. In India, the Union
Public Service Commission annually holds competitive examinations for All India Services,
Central Services and Allied Services.
It recruits on merit, candidates for appointment to these cadres. The appointments are
done by the Chief executive in accordance with the recommendations of the UPSC. Similar
practice prevails in almost all the states. As such appointment-making is a function of the
executive.
3. Treaty-making Functions:
It is the responsibility of the executive to decide as to which treaties are to be signed with
which other countries. The executive negotiates the treaties in accordance with the
procedure defined by international law and also in accordance with the provisions of the
constitution of the state.
Each treaty is signed by a member of the executive. Most of the treaties also require
ratification by the legislature of the State. It is again the responsibility of the executive to
secure legislative approval for the treaties signed by it.
4. Defence, War, and Peace Functions:
One of the key functions of the state is to defend and preserve the unity and integrity of the
country and protect it in the event of external aggression or war. It is the responsibility of
the executive to undertake this work. Organizing the military for the defense of the state,
preparing for and fighting the war if it becomes necessary, and negotiating and signing
peace settlements after every war, are the functions performed by the executive.
The executive is the final judge of the nature of the threat to the security of the country. It
has the prime responsibility to take all such steps as are needed in the interest of the
security and integrity of the state. The chief executive of the state is also the supreme
commander of the armed forces of the state.
5. Foreign Policy-making and the Conduct of Foreign Relations:
In this age of ever-increasing global interdependence, it has become one of the most
important functions of a government to formulate the foreign policy of the state and to
conduct foreign relations. This function is also performed by the executive.
The executive formulates the goals of national interest and fixes the priorities. It first
formulates the foreign policy of the nation and then implements it for securing the defined
goals of national interest. The executive appoints the ambassadors of the state to other
states.
6. Policy-making:
The modern welfare state has to carry out a large number of functions for securing the
socio-economic-cultural development of its people. It has to formulate policies, prepare
short-term and long-term plans and implement these. All actions of the state are guided by
definite policies and plans.
It is the executive who undertakes the task of policy-making and developmental planning.
These are the two most important functions of the executive because by these the state
carries out its objective of promoting the welfare of its people.
7. Functions relating to Law-making:

Law-making is primarily the function of the legislature. However, the executive also plays a
role in law-making. In this sphere too the role of the executive has been increasing by leaps
and bounds. In a parliamentary system, the ministers are also members of the legislature
and they play a leading role in law-making.
Most of the bills for legislation are introduced and piloted by them in the legislature. Most
of the time of the legislature is spent passing the governmental bills. The bills passed by the
legislature become laws only after these are signed by the Head of the State.
8. Law-making under the system of Delegated Legislation:
The system of delegated legislation has considerably increased the law-making role of the
executive. Under this system, the legislature delegates some of its law-making powers to
the executive. The executive then makes rules on the basis of these powers. The amount of
delegated legislation made by the executive far outweighs the laws passed by the
legislature.
9. Financial Functions:
It is the legislature which is the custodian of all finances. It has the power to impose, or
reduce or eliminate a tax. However, in actual practice, the executive exercises a number of
financial functions. It has the responsibility to prepare the budget. It proposes the levy of
new taxes or changes in tax structure and administration. It collects and spends the money
as sanctioned by the legislature.
The executive decides the ways and means through which the money is to be collected and
spent. It formulates all economic policies and plans. It takes suitable measures for regulating
the production and distribution of goods, money supply, prices, and exports and imports. It
contracts foreign loans, negotiates foreign aid, and maintains the financial credibility of the
state.
10. Some Semi-Judicial Functions:
The appointment of judges by the executive is regarded as the best method for ensuring the
independence of the judiciary. In almost all democratic systems, the chief executive has the
power to appoint judges. Further, he has the right to grant pardon, reprieve, and amnesty
to criminals. Under the system of administrative adjudication, the executive agencies have
the power to hear and decide cases involving particular fields of administrative activity.
11. Grant of Titles and Honours:
Another important function of the executive is to grant titles and honors to the people in
recognition of their meritorious services to the nation. Such persons who do commendable
work in their respective spheres of activity—Art, Science, Literature, etc. are granted titles
by the executive.
It also grants titles to such defense personnel who show exemplary courage and devotion to
duty during war or peace. Even ordinary citizens are granted honors in recognition of their
meritorious work for society. All decisions in this respect are taken by the executive. These
are the major functions performed by the Executive. Executive has indeed emerged as the
most powerful organ of the government.

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Functions of the Executive:

Ambassadors, Advocate General of India, Members of Union Public Service Commission,

Governors of States, etc.

US Senate (Upper House US Congress i.e. Parliament).

done on the recommendation of a service recruitment commission. In India, the Union

Central Services and Allied Services.

constitution of the state.

secure legislative approval for the treaties signed by it.

4. Defence, War, and Peace Functions:

commander of the armed forces of the state.

5. Foreign Policy-making and the Conduct of Foreign Relations:

conduct foreign relations. This function is also performed by the executive.

socio-economic-cultural development of its people. It has to formulate policies, prepare

definite policies and plans.

carries out its objective of promoting the welfare of its people.

7. Functions relating to Law-making:

and they play a leading role in law-making.

8. Law-making under the system of Delegated Legislation:

as sanctioned by the legislature.

10. Some Semi-Judicial Functions:

11. Grant of Titles and Honours:

most powerful organ of the government.

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