Rule by decree

From Wikinfo

Rule by decree is a style of governance used mostly by dictators.

Rule by decree allows the ruler to arbitrarily make laws, without any sort of legislative process or discussion. (See Reichstag Fire Decree as an example.) When no formal government institutions exist or martial law is in effect, rule by decree is common.

Some democratic leaders, such as the presidents of Russia and Mexico have the constitutional authority to issue emergency decrees, as well. Other modern political concepts, such as orders in council and executive orders are partially based on the notion of decrees, although far more limited in scope.

The word decree (d�cret) is also used as a technical term to describe the executive decisions from the President or Prime Minister of France. Those decisions must conform to the Constitution and statutes of France, and it is possible to sue for their cancellation in the [[Conseil d'�tat]].

References

• Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "Rule_by_decree" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_by_decree, used under the GNU Free Documentation License