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A governor is a governing official, usually the executive (at least nominally, to different degrees also politically and administratively) of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the Head Of State ; furthermore the title applies to officials with a similar mandate as representatives of a chartered company which has been granted exercise of sovereignty, even with its own armed forces, in a colonial area, often both colonizing and exploiting, sometimes a major state within the state, such as the British HEIC or the Dutch VOIC . Commonly, a governor is the Politician who governs a State or Province , often within a Federation . Most countries in the world have some sort of official known or rendered as "governor," though in some countries the heads of the constitutive states, provinces, communities and regions may have a different title. This is particularly common in European nations and many of their former colonies, with titles such as ''President of the Regional Council'' in France and ''minister-president'' in Germany . Other countries using different titles for sub-national units include Spain , Italy , Switzerland . There can also be non-political governors: high ranking officials in private or similar Governance such as commercial and non-profit management, styled governor(s), who simply ''govern'' an institution, such as a Corporation or a Bank . For example, in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries there are Prison governors ("warden" in the United States ), School Governors and bank governors. ETYMOLOGY The English word "governor" stems from the Latin ''gubernātor'' and the Greek ''kybernetes'' (helmsman or steersman), which in origin stem from the Latin ''gubernare'' and the Greek ''kybernan'' (to steer or govern). The recent English word " Cybernetics " shares the same etymology. Strictly or etymologically, the word "governor" is therefore supposed to be a Metaphor derived from "steersman." PRE-ROMAN EMPIRES Although the legal and administrative framework of Provinces , each administrated by a governor, was created by the Romans , the term ''governor'' has been a convenient term for historians to use in describing similar systems in Antiquity . Indeed, many regions of the pre-Roman antiquity were ultimately replaced by Roman 'standardized' provincial governments after their conquest by Rome. Egypt
Mesopotamia and beyond Assyria, a ruthless conqueror of a large empire, ...
Pre- & hellenistic Satrap s
ROMAN EMPIRES AND LEGACY In ancient Rome See Also: Roman Governor From the creation of the earliest Roman subject provinces a governor was appointed each year to administer each of them. The core function of a Roman governor was as a Magistrate or judge, and the management of taxation and public spending in their area. Under the Republic and the early Empire, however, a governor also commanded military forces in his province. Republican governors were all men who had served in senior magistracies (the ), divided the provinces into two categories; the traditionally prestigious governorships remained as before (in what have become known as "senatorial" provinces), while in a range of others he retained the formal governorships himself, delegating the actual task of administration to appointees (usually with the title ''legatus Augusti'', although some small provinces received governors with other titles such as ''procurator''). The infamous character of Pontius Pilate in the Christian Gospel s is a governor of this sort. A special case was Egypt, a rich 'private' domain and vital granary, where the Emperor almost inherited the theocratic status of a Pharaoh. The Emperor was represented there by a governor ''sui generis'' styled ''Praefectus Augustalis'' (the very title evokes the religious cult of the Emperor). Emperors Diocletian (see Tetrarchy ) and Constantine in the third and fourth centuries AD carried out a root and branch reorganisation of the administration with two main features:
The prestige governorships of Africa and Asia remained with the title proconsul, and the special right to refer matters directly to the Emperor; the ''Praefectus Augustalis'' in Alexandria and the ''Comes Orientis'' in Antioch also retained special titles. Otherwise the governors of provinces had various titles without obvious logic, some known as consularis, some as '' Corrector '', some as praeses. Apart from Egypt and the East (''Oriens'' - ''viz'' greater Syria), each diocese was directed by a governor known as a ''vicarius''. The prefectures were directed by ''praefecti praetorio'' (a role transformed from a very different one in the early Empire). Byzantium This system survived with few significant changes until the collapse of the empire in the West, and in the East the breakdown of order with the Persian and Arab invasions of the seventh century. At that stage a new kind governor emerged, the Strategos a role leading the Themes which replaced provinces at this point, and involving a return to the amalgamation of civil and military office which had been the practice under the Republic and the early Empire. Legacy While the Roman administration in the West was largely destroyed in the barbarian invasions, its model was remembered, and would again be very influential through two particular vehicles: Roman law and the Christian Church. HOLY ROMAN/ HABSBURG EMPIRES AND SUCCESSOR STATES TURKISH RULE In the Ottoman empire, various Pasha s (generals) administered a province of the Great Sultan's vaste empire, with specific titles (such as Mutessaryf; Vali = Wali was often maintained or even revived in oriental Successor State s; cfr. Beilerbei (rendered as Governor-general, as he is appointed above several provinces under individual governors) and Dey ) BRITISH EMPIRE AND COMMONWEALTH In the British Empire a governor was originally an official appointed by the British Monarch to oversee one of his Colonies . Generally of the gubernatorial offices established under the British, the structure comprised three levels:—
In the first two cases the Governor (or Governor-General) represents the authority of the Monarch. Lieutenant-Governors represent the authority of their superiors (a Governor or Governor-General). between Commonwealth states). A Governor would usually have an Executive Council to help with the colony's administration. Governors could also, in addition, have Legislative Council s and/or Assemblies underneath them. Today crown colonies of the United Kingdom continue to be administered by a governor, who holds varying degrees of power. Worldwide, there are 15 Governors-General who represent the dignity of the Monarch in the (sovereign) Commonwealth Realm s. Because of the different Constitution al histories of the former colonies of the United Kingdom , the term "Governor" now refers to officials with differing amounts of power. Especially after colonies became independent of the United Kingdom, the presence of the word "Governor" does not guarantee that the said Governor is the "typical British-style" Governor; examples include:
Governors (of all ranks) are usually housed in a building called ' Government House '. Governors used also to have a standard flag pattern (a Union Flag with the colonial seal or coat of arms in the centre). Governors-General still have a standard pattern flag, a blue flag with the royal crest (lion and crown) with the name of the jurisdiction on a scroll underneath. In numerous Commonwealth Realms the position of Governor-General, Lieutenant-Governor, or Governor has been been observed often to be used to promote women and Minorities into a prominent position, most notably in Canada , and some Caribbean nations. The first female Vice-Regal in the Commonwealth was Dame Hilda Bynoe, Governor of the Associated State of Grenada from 1968 to 1974. The first woman to hold the office of Governor General in the Commonwealth was Dame Elmira Minita Gordon of Belize . Below, the Governors described for Australia, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom overseas territories fit the traditional British framework as just described. The rest are not British-style governors. Colonial style United Kingdom overseas territories In the United Kingdom's remaining Overseas Territories the governor is normally a direct appointee of the British Government and plays an active role in governing and lawmaking (though usually with the advice of elected local representatives). The Governor's chief responsibility is for the Defence and External Affairs of the colony. In some minor overseas territories, instead of a Governor, there is an Administrator or Commissioner , or the job is ex officio done by a High Commissioner . Australia ''Main article: Governors Of The Australian States '' In Australia , each state has a Governor as its formal representative of the Queen as head of the state government. Each State Governor is appointed by the Sovereign on the advice of the Premier (politically responsible head of state government) and play a largely ceremonial role. State Governors have emergency reserve powers but these are rarely used. The Territories of Australia have Administrators instead of governors, who are appointed formally by the Governor-General. The Governor-General is the representative of Australia's head of state (i.e. the -British and- Australian Sovereign ) at a federal level appointed by the crown on the advice given by the Australian (federal) Prime Minister . When the office of the Governor-General is vacant, or the occupant is unable to discharge their duties (on holidays, or travelling overseas for example), frequently the most senior state governor acts in their position. If this is not practicable, a Justice of the High Court is appointed as administrator for the Commonwealth, and exercises those powers of the Governor-General in their absence. The difference in terminology between the Australian state Governors and the Canadian provincial Lieutenant Governor s is significant. In the Australian case, the Governor nominally derives power directly from the monarch and is in practice nominated by the Premier of a state. In the Canadian case, the Lieutenant Governor nominally is appointed by the Governor-General and in practice is named by the federal Prime Minister . See also:
Hong Kong See Governor Of Hong Kong . Northern Ireland There was a position of Governor Of Northern Ireland from 1922 until the suspension of Stormont in 1973. New style India In India each state has a ceremonial Governor appointed by the President of India. These Governors are different to the Governors which controlled the British-controlled portions of the Indian Empire (as opposed to the princely states) prior to 1949. See Governors Of India for more information. Malaysia In and Sarawak - each have a ceremonial Governor styled '' Yang Di-Pertua Negeri '', appointed by the federal King Yang Di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, with a seat but no vote in the federal ''majlis Raja-raja'' (council of rulers). These states have a separate head of government which is the Chief Minister or ''Menteri Besar''. All other states have royalty as head of state, no governor : a Raja in Perlis, a Yang Di-pertuan Besar (elected from local rulers) in Negeri Sembilan, or a Sultan in the states of Selangor, Pahang, Johore, Perak, Kelantan and Kedah. Nigeria In Nigeria , the leaders of the regions, which in 1967 were divided into states, have been known as governors since 1954. Following a military coup in November 1993, President Sani Abacha suspended all the governors, and appointed administrators. When democracy was restored in 1999, the office of governor was revived and new governors were elected. The president of Nigeria can suspend state governors in a state of emergency and replace them with administrators. They are elected by popular vote. Papua New Guinea In Papua New Guinea , the leaders of the provinces have been known as governors since August 1995. Previously they had been known as premiers. Sri Lanka The provinces of Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon) are led by governors, as representatives of the President . RUSSIA AND FORMER SOVIET UNION A special case was the Chinese Eastern Railroad Zone, which was governed as a concession granted by imperial China to the Russian 'Chinese Eastern Railroad Society' (in Russian ''Obshchestvo Kitayskoy Vostochnoy Zheleznoy Dorogi''; established in 17 December 1896 in St. Petersburg, later moved to Vladivostok), which build 1,481 km of tracks (Tarskaya - Hilar - Harbin - Nikolsk-Ussuriski; 3 November 1901 traffic opened) and established on 16 May 1898 the new capital city, Harbin ; in August 1898, the defense for Chinese Eastern Railroad (CER) across Manchuria was assumed by Russia (first under Priamur governor). On 1 July 1903 the Chinese Eastern Railroad opened and given under authority of itw own CER Administration (Russian: ''Upravleniye KVZhD''), vested in the Directors of the Chinese Eastern Railroad, with the additional quality of Governors of the Chinese Eastern Railroad Zone (in Harbin; as such being 12 Aug 1903 - 1 July 1905 subordinated to the imperial Viceroyalty of the Far East, see Port Arthur ). The post continued to function despite various political changes until after World War II. Currently, some of the administrative divisions of Russia are headed by governors, while others are headed by Presidents or heads of administration. From 1991 to 2005 they were elected by popular vote, but since 2005 they have been appointed by the federal present and confirmed by the province's lgeislature. OTHER COLONIAL EMPIRES
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The same goes for the Empire of Japan and the USA. OTHER MODERN ASIAN COUNTRIES People's Republic of China In the People's Republic Of China , the title "Governor" (省长) refers to the highest ranking executive of a Provincial Government. The Governor is usually placed second in the provincial power hierarchy, below the Provincial CPC Secretary (省委书记), who serves as the highest ranking Party official in the Province. A Governor can be also used when referring to a County Governor (县长). Philippines In the Republic Of The Philippines , the title "Governor" refers to the highest ranking executive of a Provincial Government. The Governor is elected by a direct vote from the people and had a fixed term of three years. An incumbent Governor can only serve only up to three consecutive terms. He may however be suspended by either the Ombudsman or President (through the Secretary of Interior and Local Government). He may be removed by the President if he was found guilty of an administrative case or a criminal act during his incumbency. He can be subjected by a recall vote, but unlike a referendum, people would elect the governor of their choice. If in case of death, disablility, resignation, forced removal or suspension, a government official known as Vice Governor would replace as Governor or acting Governor. In the Autonomous Region On Muslim Mindanao , a Regional Governor and Regional Vice Governor is elected by a block vote similar to the United States President. OTHER MODERN COUNTRIES IN THE AMERICAS United States In the United States , the title ''governor'' refers to the Chief Executive of each State , not directly subordinate to the federal authorities, but the political and ceremonial head of the ' Sovereign ' state. The governor may also assume additional roles, such as the Commander-in-Chief of the State National Guard forces (when not federalized), and the ability to Commute or Pardon a Criminal Sentence . U.S. Governors serve four-year terms except those in New Hampshire and Vermont, who serve two-year terms. In all states, the governor is directly elected, and in most cases has considerable practical powers (notable exceptions with very weak governorships include Texas), though this is moderated by the State Legislature and in some cases by other elected executive officials. They can Veto state bills. In some cases legislatures can override a gubernatorial veto by a two-thirds vote, in others by three-fifths. In Tennessee the governor's veto can be overridden by an Absolute Majority vote making it virtually useless. The Governor Of North Carolina had no veto power until a 1996 referendum. In most states, whenever there is a sudden vacancy of one of the state's U.S. Senate or House seats, that state's governor appoints someone to fill the vacancy until a Special Election is to be held, although the governors of Oregon , Massachusetts and Alaska no longer have this power. In colonial America, when the governor was the representative of the monarch who exercised executive power, many colonies originally elected their governors, but in the years leading up to the American Revolutionary War , the king began to appoint them directly. During the American Revolution, the royal governors were expelled, but the name was retained to denote the new elected official. See: List Of United States Governors for past and present governors.
Mexico The elected heads of . Brazil Until the 1930 Revolution , the heads of the Brazilian Provinces then States were styled Presidents (''presidentes''), later governors (''governadores'') and intervators (''interventores'', appointed by the federal government) and finally in 1945 only governors. South America Many of the South America n republics (such as Chile and Argentina ) have provinces or states run by elected governors, with offices similar in nature to U.S. state governors. OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES AND EMPIRES Benelux monarchies
In the Dutch crown's Caribbean Overseas territories, the style Governor is still used (alongside the political head of government) in the Netherlands Antilles as well as since 1986 on the neighbouring island of Aruba (separated from the former)
France & Napoleon Italy
Papal & Vatican particularity
Nordic states
OTHER MODERN AFRICAN COUNTRIES MODERN EQUIVALENTS As a GENERIC term, Governor is used for various 'equivalent' officers governing part of a state or empire, rendering other official titles such as :
And this also applies to non-western and/or antique cultures FURTHERMORE, THE WORD HAS OTHER MEANINGS - as an administrator and/or supervisor (individually or collectively, see Board of Governors) in the socio-economic spheres of life; the single Governor of a national emission bank often holds ministerial rank.
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