When talking about the figure of the governor, we must first point out that this type of executive position is much older than the emergence of republican and federative regimes. Already in antiquity, the great kingdoms and empires had the figure of trustworthy administrators who carried out the actions of the central government and resolved immediate issues. In this aspect, the governors had the essential role of streamlining the administrative process and the enforcement of laws.
Looking at the political organization of different nations and civilizations, we can see that the office of governor appeared under other names over time. In Brazil Contemporâneo, the office of governor is placed as the top leader of the Executive Power of a federation state. As head, he must represent his state in the most important political, administrative and legal matters that involve the interests of the same region.
The mandate of a governor of Brazil lasts four years and can be extended for an equal period if he is reelected by direct vote. In the United States, the choice of a governor is based on voting from a set of delegates who represent the intention to vote for a particular competitor. Even though it is not democratic, China also has its governors. In this case, each of them is appointed by the president of the country.
In the Brazilian political regime, the governor has the autonomy to organize a secretariat that deals with the most varied issues of his State. As a president of the Republic, he has the autonomy to make several decisions and offer state bills, as long as they do not violate the principles postulated by the Constitution Federal. If he does not manage the finances of his state well, the governor can be tried for the crime of improbity.
In practical terms, government action establishes a process of decentralization of political power capable of accelerating various political, economic and social issues at regional and local levels. Despite its usefulness, the exercise of the office of governor can create situations of political conflict, when it does not follow or agree with the guidelines of the central government. As such, the governor must be able to balance the demands of his state and the demands of the federation.
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By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUSA, Rainer Gonçalves. "Governor"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/politica/governador.htm. Accessed on July 27, 2021.
