Government

Great Seal of the State of Missouri Seal of Missouri Summary of the Great Seal of Missouri: its design elements, symbolism, adoption, historical context, official uses, and distinctions from other state emblems.

Great Seal of the State of Montana Seal of Montana Official emblem of Montana, adopted as a territorial seal in 1865 and retained at statehood in 1889; depicts mountains, plains, the Missouri River's Great Falls, and symbols of min…

Great Seal of Pennsylvania Seal of Pennsylvania Overview, symbolism, history and use of Pennsylvania's two-sided Great Seal, including its obverse design, less-used reverse, official role, and common misconceptions.

Seal of Rhode Island The official seal of Rhode Island features an anchor and the motto HOPE on a dark blue field, surrounded by an outer legend and the date 1636. It symbolizes maritime heritage and t…

Great Seal of the State of Tennessee Seal of Tennessee Official state seal of Tennessee, established in 1796. Depicts agricultural and commercial imagery in a circular legend; design work began in 1801 and later designs simplified the…

Great Seal of the State of Utah Seal of Utah Official emblem adopted in 1896 representing Utah’s history and values; features the beehive, sego lily, eagle, and commemorative dates and is used on documents, the state flag, an…

Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin: Symbolism, History, and Official Use Seal of Wisconsin Overview of Wisconsin's Great Seal: design elements and meanings, historical evolution since statehood, and guidelines for official use and reproduction of this government emblem.

Seanad Éireann Seanad Éireann is the upper chamber of the Irish parliament (Oireachtas). Its 60 members are chosen by vocational panels, university constituencies and Taoiseach nominations; it re…

Second Ladies and Gentlemen of the United States Informal title for the spouse or host/hostess of the U.S. vice president, describing role, history, notable occupants, and public functions.

Second Rutte cabinet (Rutte II) — Dutch government, 2012–2017 Second Rutte cabinet Coalition government of the VVD and PvdA led by Mark Rutte from Nov 2012 to Oct 2017; carried out fiscal consolidation and social reforms, resigned as demissionary government in Ma…

Secret police: role, methods, and historical context Secret police An overview of secret police — state security agencies used to control populations, their characteristics, methods, history, and differences from ordinary police and intelligence s…

Secretary: role, duties, history and modern developments Secretary Overview of the secretary role: typical duties, skills, historical development, related job titles, and how the position has changed in modern offices and institutions.

Secretary General of NATO Chief civilian official of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization; coordinates alliance politics, chairs the North Atlantic Council, represents NATO internationally and oversees th…

Secretary of State: roles, variations, and historical background Secretary of State An overview of the office of Secretary of State, explaining its different meanings worldwide, common duties, historical development, and notable national variations.

Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Senior UK cabinet post (2016–2023) responsible for business, industrial strategy and energy policy; established by merging business and energy departments and later reorganised in…

Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (UK) Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Senior UK cabinet minister heading the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, responsible for government policy on arts, media, sport, the creative industries and digita…

Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union (Brexit Secretary) Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union Former UK Cabinet minister responsible for overseeing the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU, heading the Department for Exiting the European Union from 2016 until the formal…

Secretary of State for Transport (United Kingdom) Secretary of State for Transport Senior Cabinet minister who leads the Department for Transport, shaping national policy and oversight for roads, rail, aviation and maritime matters; accountable to Parliament and…

Secretary of State of California Statewide constitutional officer who administers elections, maintains business and public records, and oversees the state archives; elected to four-year terms with a two-term limit…

Secretary of State of Kansas Overview of the duties, history, and significance of the Kansas Secretary of State, the statewide constitutional officer responsible for elections, records, and related regulatory…

Secular state — government neutrality toward religion Secular state A secular state maintains governmental neutrality toward religion, separating religious institutions from state power while protecting freedom of conscience, equal treatment, and r…

Sejm of the Republic of Poland Sejm The Sejm is Poland's lower parliamentary chamber. This article explains its role, composition, history, powers, and its relationship with the Senate and the office of the Marshal.

Selective Service System (United States) Selective Service System Overview of the U.S. Selective Service System: purpose, who must register, brief history, uses and consequences, and notable distinctions about registration and gender policy.

Semi-presidential system A form of government combining a directly elected president with a prime minister responsible to the legislature; balances presidential leadership with parliamentary accountability…

Senate (legislative assembly) Senate A senate is a legislative chamber—often the upper house in a bicameral system—responsible for reviewing, amending and approving laws. This article explains structure, history, func…

Senate of Belgium Senate (Belgium) The Senate is the upper chamber of Belgium's Federal Parliament. Its role was reduced by major state reforms; today it focuses on constitutional and institutional matters, and serv…

Senate (France) — upper house of the French Parliament Senate (France) The French Senate (Sénat) is the upper chamber of Parliament, representing territorial collectivities and citizens abroad. It reviews and amends legislation, oversees government ac…

Senate (Netherlands) — Eerste Kamer Senate (Netherlands) The Eerste Kamer (Senate) is the 75-member upper house of the Dutch States General. Elected indirectly by provincial and Caribbean electoral colleges, it reviews and approves legis…

Senate of Canada The Senate of Canada is the appointed upper chamber of the Parliament of Canada. It reviews legislation, represents regional interests, and performs committee work; it has 105 memb…

Senate of Chile The Senate of Chile is the upper chamber of the National Congress. It reviews legislation, represents territorial constituencies, and performs oversight and confirmation duties und…

Senate of Pakistan The Senate is the upper chamber of Pakistan's Parliament. It provides equal provincial representation, reviews legislation, and renews membership by staggered elections every three…

Senate of Poland (Senat) Senate of Poland The Senate (Senat) is the upper chamber of Poland's bicameral parliament. Composed of 100 elected senators, it reviews legislation, proposes amendments, and represents territorial…

Senate of Romania Upper chamber of Romania's bicameral Parliament, its history, structure, functions, and role in the legislative process.

Senate of Spain (Senado) Senate of Spain The upper chamber of Spain's Cortes Generales. It represents provinces and autonomous entities, revises legislation, performs territorial functions and works alongside the Congress…

Senate of Thailand The Senate is the appointed upper chamber of Thailand's National Assembly. It reviews legislation, confirms key officials and has served under different constitutions; since 2017 i…

Senate of the Philippines The upper chamber of the Philippine Congress: a 24-member, nationally elected body that legislates, approves treaties, and conducts impeachment trials under a staggered six-year te…

Senate of the Republic (Italy) Upper house of Italy's bicameral Parliament, the Senato della Repubblica shares legislative powers with the Chamber of Deputies and meets at Palazzo Madama in Rome.

Senate of the Republic (Mexico) Upper chamber of Mexico's bicameral Congress. Explains composition, election system, main powers, historical development, and role within the federal government.

Seneschal: medieval steward, administrator and royal officer Seneschal A seneschal was a senior steward in medieval noble households and a royal administrative officer in parts of France, responsible for domestic management, finances, justice and loca…

Senior Minister (Singapore): role, history and notable holders Senior Minister Overview of the Senior Minister office in Singapore: purpose, responsibilities, notable holders, evolution into Emeritus Senior Minister, and debates about its political significan…

Seniority in the United States Senate How senators are ranked by length and type of service, the rules and common tie-breakers used, and why seniority matters for committees, office assignment and institutional influen…

Separation of Church and State Principle that government and organized religion should remain institutionally distinct to protect religious freedom and prevent state endorsement of religion.

Separation of Powers Constitutional doctrine dividing government authority among legislative, executive and judicial branches, establishing mutual controls (checks and balances) and shaping variations…

Serene Highness A formal style of address for certain princes and nobles in Europe, ranking below Royal and Imperial Highness and still used by a few sovereign houses and historical princely famil…

Sergeant at Arms of the United States House of Representatives Officer of the U.S. House responsible for law enforcement, protocol, and administrative duties; elected by House members and notable for ceremonial and security roles.

Shah: Persian royal title, history, and cultural legacy Shah Shah is a Persian title meaning 'king' or 'ruler'. Historically used across Greater Iran and South Asia, it appears in royal styles, place names and surnames and influenced terms s…

Silence procedure: tacit approval in international decision-making Silence procedure A decision-making method where absence of objection within a set time is treated as consent. Used in diplomacy and multilateral organizations to speed consensus while posing transp…

Singapore National Pledge The Singapore National Pledge is a short, formal declaration of national unity written in 1966. It expresses the country's commitment to multiracial harmony, justice, equality and…