Final answer:
The executive branch, led by figures such as presidents or prime ministers, is significant in enforcing laws, directing foreign policy, and influencing national affairs. With legislative gridlock, modern executives increasingly use their authority for decisive action, especially in foreign policy, leading to a phenomenon known as executive dominance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Significance of the Executive in the Modern World
The significance of the executive in the modern world is profound, considering their role in enforcing laws, conducting foreign policy, and influencing both national and international affairs. The executive power is often vested in a president, prime minister, or similar figure who acts as both head of government and state. They possess the authority to appoint cabinet members, issue executive orders, command the military, and engage in foreign diplomacy.
Modern executives often utilize their platform to address issues of civil rights and exert influence even through informal actions beyond official capacities. Over recent decades, with increased polarization in legislative bodies like Congress, executives have relied more on executive actions to bypass gridlocked legislating processes. Moreover, executives in democracies are directly accountable to voters, further emphasizing the direct impact of their decisions and actions on society.
Given these significant roles and capabilities, the executive can quickly and unilaterally direct governmental policy, especially in the realms of foreign policy and national security. Despite checks from legislative and judicial branches, many executive actions stand unchallenged due to slow responses or perceived urgency. This has led to a phenomenon known as executive dominance, where executive power expands and is often justified within the scope of governance.