Executive order facts for kids
An executive order is like a special instruction or rule given by a country's leader, such as a president or a monarch. This leader has the power to make these orders because their country's constitution allows it. Executive orders tell different parts of the government, like government departments, agencies, and even the military, what they need to do.
These orders are very important because they help decide how new laws will be put into action. They can also be used during emergencies or wars to make quick decisions.
Contents
What is an Executive Order?
An executive order is a powerful tool used by a country's top leader. Think of it as a direct command from the president or king to the government. These orders help the government run smoothly and make sure that laws passed by the legislature (like a parliament or congress) are carried out properly. They are not new laws themselves, but they explain how existing laws should be followed.
Who Can Make Them?
Only the head of state can issue an executive order. In some countries, this is the president, like in the United States. In others, it might be a monarch (a king or queen). The power to make these orders comes from the country's main rulebook, called the constitution.
How Executive Orders Work
Executive orders are used to manage the daily business of the government. They can tell government workers how to do their jobs, set up new programs, or change old ones. For example, an executive order might create a new task force to deal with a specific problem or change how a government agency operates.
Checks and Balances
Even though executive orders are powerful, they are not always the final word. In countries where power is shared among different parts of the government (this is called separation of powers), executive orders can be challenged.
- Courts: Judges can review an executive order to see if it follows the constitution or existing laws. If it doesn't, the courts can stop the order. This process is called judicial review.
- Legislature: The country's law-making body, like a parliament or congress, can also pass new laws that might change or cancel an executive order.
This system of checks and balances helps make sure that no single person or part of the government becomes too powerful.
Executive Orders and Citizens
Executive orders can have a big impact on the lives of citizens. For example, an order might change rules about how people can get government services, or it could affect how certain businesses operate. They are a way for the leader to quickly respond to important issues, but they must still follow the country's main laws and constitution.
Images for kids
-
An example of an executive order from 1948.
See also
In Spanish: Orden ejecutiva para niños
