All Topics  
Figurehead (metaphor)

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Figurehead (metaphor)
 
 
  Topics Figurehead (metaphor) Topic Home

In politics, a figurehead, by metaphor
Metaphor

Metaphor is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects. It is a figure of speech that compares two or more things without using the words "like" or "as." More generally, a metaphor describes a first subject as being or equal to a second object in some way....
 with the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship, is a person who holds an important title or office yet executes little actual power. Common figureheads include constitutional monarchs, such as the Emperor of Japan
Emperor of Japan

The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
, or president
President

President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, company, trade unions, university, and country. Etymology, a "president" is one who Wiktionary:Preside, who sits in leadership ....
s in parliamentary democracies, such as the President of Israel
President of Israel

The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely a ceremonial Figurehead role, with executive real power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister of Israel....
.

While the authority of a figurehead is generally symbolic, respect and access to high levels of government can give them significant influence on some events.






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Figurehead (metaphor)'
Start a new discussion about 'Figurehead (metaphor)'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


In politics, a figurehead, by metaphor
Metaphor

Metaphor is language that directly compares seemingly unrelated subjects. It is a figure of speech that compares two or more things without using the words "like" or "as." More generally, a metaphor describes a first subject as being or equal to a second object in some way....
 with the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship, is a person who holds an important title or office yet executes little actual power. Common figureheads include constitutional monarchs, such as the Emperor of Japan
Emperor of Japan

The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
, or president
President

President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, company, trade unions, university, and country. Etymology, a "president" is one who Wiktionary:Preside, who sits in leadership ....
s in parliamentary democracies, such as the President of Israel
President of Israel

The President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely a ceremonial Figurehead role, with executive real power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister of Israel....
.

While the authority of a figurehead is generally symbolic, respect and access to high levels of government can give them significant influence on some events. An example would be Emperor Hirohito
Hirohito

, also known as , was the 124th Emperor of Japan of Japan according to the traditional order, reigning from 25 December 1926 until his death in 1989....
's involvement in World War II
World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a Participants in World War II, including all of the great powers, organised into two opposing military alliances: the Allies of World War II and the Axis powers....
. In parliamentary systems, presidents are figureheads at times of peace (delegated such powers as convening or dismissing the national legislature), but at wartime they are often commanders in chief.

Sometimes a figurehead can be exploited in times of emergency. For example, Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was the Prime Minister of the Republic of India for three consecutive terms from 1966 to 1977and for a fourth term from 1980 until her Assassination of Indira Gandhi in 1984, a total of fifteen years....
 used the figurehead President of India
President of India

The President of India or Rashtrapati is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Military of India....
 to issue unilateral decree
Decree

A decree is an order made by a head of state or head of government and having the force of law. The particular term used for this concept may vary from country to country — the Executive order s made by the president of the United States, for example, are decrees....
s that allowed her to bypass parliament when it no longer supported her.

The word can also have more sinister overtones, and refer to a powerless leader who should be exercising full authority, yet is actually being controlled by a more powerful figure behind the throne
Power behind the throne

The phrase power behind the throne refers to a person or cabal that informally exercises the real power of an office. In politics, it most commonly refers to a spouse, aide, or advisor of a political leader who serves as de facto leader, setting policy through influence or manipulation....
.

The tendency of this word to drift, like many words that are in a strong process of changed meanings, into the pejorative is beginning to make it unsuitable to apply to a head of state with limited constitutional authority, such that its use may become increasingly inappropriate in referring to monarchs and presidents in parliamentary systems.

See also

  • Head of State
    Head of State

    Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchic or republican nation-state, federation, commonwealth or any other political state....