Government

New Jersey Legislature Bicameral legislative body of the State of New Jersey, responsible for making laws, approving budgets, confirming appointments, and representing 40 legislative districts; meets in…

New Mexico Territory (U.S. organized territory), 1850–1912 New Mexico Territory History of the U.S. Territory of New Mexico (1850–1912): formation after the Mexican–American War, boundary changes, population and government, economy, conflicts, and the path to…

New South Wales Legislative Assembly Lower house of the Parliament of New South Wales, Australia: its composition, electoral system, functions, history and notable practices.

New Territories East (Legislative Council constituency) New Territories East (constituency) New Territories East is a major Legislative Council geographical constituency covering Sha Tin, Tai Po, North and Sai Kung districts in the eastern New Territories of Hong Kong.

New York City Transit Police Former independent police force responsible for policing New York City's subways and buses (1953–1995); merged into the NYPD and continued as the Transit Bureau.

New Zealand Parliament The New Zealand Parliament is the country’s unicameral legislature, centred on the elected House of Representatives. It makes laws, holds the government to account, and represents…

Night-watchman state (minarchism) Night-watchman state A political theory advocating a minimal government confined to protecting individual rights—typically policing, courts and national defense—contrasted with welfare states and anarc…

NKVD: Soviet People's Commissariat for Internal Affairs (1934–1946) NKVD Overview of the NKVD, its organization, history, functions and legacy—covering its roles in policing, state security, the Gulag system, wartime duties, and political repression und…

Non-voting members of the U.S. House of Representatives Non-voting members of the United States House of Representatives An overview of delegates and the Resident Commissioner: their roles, limits, history, current representatives from territories and the District of Columbia, and how they participat…

North Dakota State Capitol The North Dakota State Capitol is a 21‑story Art Deco tower in Bismarck housing the state's legislative and executive offices on a large government campus; it replaced an earlier R…

North German Confederation: foundation, institutions, and legacy North German Confederation A federal state formed under Prussian leadership after the 1866 Austro‑Prussian War, the North German Confederation (1867–1871) established modern federal institutions that led to…

Northern Ireland Assembly The devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, created by the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement to enable local government, power-sharing and lawmaking on domestic matters within the…

Northern Ireland Office: role, history, and post-devolution responsibilities Northern Ireland Office Overview of the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), its functions, historical development, change after devolution, and the continuing role of the Secretary of State and UK Government i…

Northern Territory Legislative Assembly Unicameral legislature of the Northern Territory of Australia: its composition, powers, history, and role in territory government.

Nute Gunray Neimoidian politician who served as Viceroy of the Trade Federation, directed the invasion of Naboo and later became a Separatist leader during the Clone Wars; appears in the prequ…

Oath of Office: Purpose, Forms, History, and Legal Significance Oath of office A formal pledge required of many public, military, and religious officials. Explains types, typical wording and administration, historical roots, legal effects, and notable example…

Oath of Office of the President of the United States The constitutional oath sworn by U.S. presidents at inauguration. Text, legal basis, administration customs, historical notes, and distinctions about swearing, affirming, and cerem…

Oberwart District (Bezirk Oberwart) — southern Burgenland, Austria Oberwart District Administrative district in southern Burgenland, Austria, centered on the town of Oberwart; known for mixed cultural heritage, agriculture, small industry and cross-border ties with…

Oblasts of Ukraine The 24 oblasts are Ukraine's principal first-level administrative regions, subdivided into raions and hromadas and serving as units for regional government, planning, and public se…

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Administration U.S. federal agency in the Department of Labor that establishes and enforces workplace safety and health standards, conducts inspections, and promotes training to reduce work-relat…

Ofcom — United Kingdom communications regulator Ofcom Ofcom is the UK regulator for broadcasting, telecommunications and spectrum. It sets standards, issues licences, enforces rules and protects consumers across television, radio and…

Office of Management and Budget The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the U.S. President in preparing the federal budget, reviews agency programs and regulations, and oversees federal management, info…

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) Office of National Drug Control Policy ONDCP coordinates U.S. federal drug-control efforts, develops the National Drug Control Strategy and related budget priorities, monitors agency performance, and advises the Preside…

Office of Public Works (Ireland) Office of Public Works Irish government agency responsible for state property, historic sites, public buildings and engineering services, including conservation and flood-risk works.

Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) — U.S. science policy office Office of Science and Technology Policy U.S. federal office that advises the President on science and technology, coordinates research policy across agencies, and shapes priorities on issues from research funding to emer…

Office of the United States Trade Representative USTR formulates U.S. trade policy, leads bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations, enforces trade obligations, and coordinates interagency trade positions for the President.

Official (holder of an office) Official An official is a person who holds a formal position of authority within an organization or government. This article explains roles, selection, duties, types, and legal distinctions…

Ohio State Senate Ohio Senate Upper chamber of the Ohio General Assembly: 33 senators serving staggered four-year terms, representing districts of roughly 330,000 people, with responsibilities in lawmaking, ove…

Oireachtas — Ireland's National Legislature Oireachtas Comprehensive overview of the Oireachtas: its three parts (President, Dáil Éireann, Seanad Éireann), roles, composition, history, and its place in Irish government.

Oklahoma House of Representatives The lower chamber of the Oklahoma Legislature, comprised of elected representatives who draft laws, set state budgets, and oversee executive actions within a system of committees a…

Oklahoma Senate The Oklahoma Senate is the 48-member upper chamber of the state Legislature. This article describes its role, structure, leadership, legislative functions, election cycle, and hist…

Oligarchy: rule by a few — definition, history, types and modern contexts Oligarchy Oligarchy is government or control by a small group. This article outlines its definition, historical examples (Sparta, Venice), main characteristics, variants, modern forms and ho…

Orange Free State (historic Boer republic) Orange Free State Independent Boer republic in southern Africa (1854–1902), centered on Bloemfontein. Governed by Afrikaner settlers, it was defeated in the Second Boer War and later incorporated in…

Order of succession (transfer of authority in monarchies, states and institutions) Order of succession Order of succession denotes the prearranged sequence or legal rules by which an office, title, or authority passes from one person to another in monarchies, states, corporations, o…

Oval Office The Oval Office is the official working office of the president of the United States, an elliptical room in the White House West Wing used for meetings, ceremonies, and major annou…

Overlord A term for a superior ruler or controller with historical roots in feudal law; also applied to WWII Operation Overlord and various works of fiction, games, and film.

P. V. Narasimha Rao Indian politician and prime minister (1991–1996) who presided over major economic liberalization and played a central role in India's post-Cold War foreign relations.

Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) Palace of Westminster Seat of the UK Parliament in London, rebuilt in the 19th century in Gothic Revival style; includes Westminster Hall, the Commons and Lords chambers, and the Elizabeth and Victoria…

Palestinian National Authority Interim self-government body created after the 1993 Oslo Accords to administer parts of the Gaza Strip and West Bank; later associated with the State of Palestine and affected by i…

Papal States (State of the Church) Papal States Territorial domain in central Italy governed by the popes from the early Middle Ages until 1870, whose decline shaped Italian unification and the modern Vatican State.

Pardon (legal clemency) Pardon A pardon is an act of clemency that relieves or forgives the legal consequences of a criminal conviction. Its form, effects and procedures vary across jurisdictions and differ from…

Parks Australia — federal management of national parks and protected areas Parks Australia Parks Australia is the Australian Government agency that manages a network of national parks, botanical gardens and protected areas in federal and external territories, working wit…

Parliament: Functions, Forms, and Historical Notes Parliament Parliament is a representative legislature found in many countries. This article explains its roles, common structures, historical origins and notable examples like the UK Parliame…

Parliament of Eswatini (Libandla) Parliament (Eswatini) The Parliament of Eswatini, known in Swazi as Libandla, is the kingdom’s bicameral legislature—an upper Senate and lower House of Assembly—based in Lobamba and operating within Esw…

Parliament of Albania (Kuvendi) Parliament of Albania The Parliament of Albania (Kuvendi) is the country's unicameral legislature. It is a representative assembly with not less than 140 members elected for four-year terms, responsible…

Parliament of Australia: structure, history and principal functions Parliament of Australia The federal Parliament of Australia is the national legislature established in 1901. This article outlines its composition, constitutional basis, major roles, historical developmen…

Parliament of Barbados: structure, history and functions Parliament of Barbados The Parliament of Barbados is the national bicameral legislature based in Bridgetown. This article explains its composition, role, development from colonial assembly to modern parl…

Parliament of Canada: Role, Structure, and History Parliament of Canada Overview of Canada's federal legislature, its components (Monarch/Governor General, Senate, House of Commons), functions, historical development, procedures, and notable characteri…