figurehead
Sign in to saveAlso known as figureheads, figurehead leader, ceremonial leader, ceremonial head of state, titular head, titular leader, nominal head, nominal leader
In politics, a figurehead is a practice of who de jure (in name or by law) appears to hold an important and often supremely powerful title or office, yet de facto (in reality) exercises little to no actual power. The metaphor derives from the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship.
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In politics, a figurehead is a practice of who de jure (in name or by law) appears to hold an important and often supremely powerful title or office, yet de facto (in reality) exercises little to no actual power. The metaphor derives from the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship.
==Examples== Heads of state in most constitutional monarchies and parliamentary republics are often considered to be figureheads. Commonly cited ones include the monarch of the United Kingdom, who is also head of state of the other Commonwealth realms and head of the Commonwealth, but has no power over the nations in which the sovereign is not head of government and does not exercise power in the realms on their own initiative.