Government

Dáil Éireann — the lower house of the Irish legislature Dáil Éireann Dáil Éireann is the directly elected lower chamber of the Oireachtas (parliament) of Ireland, responsible for legislation, government formation and financial control under the Iris…

Daimyo — Japan’s feudal territorial lords Daimyo Daimyō were Japan’s regional feudal lords who ruled domains, commanded samurai, and shaped politics from the Heian era through the Meiji Restoration before their domains were aboli…

Darmstadt (Regierungsbezirk) — administrative region of Hesse, Germany Darmstadt (region) Darmstadt is one of three Regierungsbezirke of Hesse in southern Germany. It combines urban centers, research institutions, industrial areas and rural districts within the Rhine‑Ma…

Dauphin of France Title given to the heir apparent to the French throne from the mid‑14th century until the Revolution and briefly under the Restoration; origin, role, and ceremonial importance.

David Gauke: British Conservative MP and Justice Minister David Gauke Profile of David Gauke, a British Conservative politician and solicitor, MP for South West Hertfordshire since 2005, appointed Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor in…

Dean of the United States House of Representatives The Dean is the longest-serving member of the U.S. House; a ceremonial position that traditionally administers the oath to a newly elected Speaker and reflects seniority privileges…

Dean of the United States Senate Informal designation for the senator with the longest continuous service. A mark of seniority and experience rather than a formal office; distinct from the President pro tempore an…

Declaration of Independence A formal proclamation by a polity asserting sovereign status separate from another state; its meaning, typical contents, legal effects, and historical examples are explained.

Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel Founding proclamation issued on 14 May 1948 that announced Israel's independence, set out basic principles of government and rights, and marked the end of the British Mandate.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals DACA is a U.S. administrative policy that offered temporary protection from deportation and work authorization to eligible people brought to the U.S. as children, known as 'Dreamer…

Delegation — principles and practice in management, politics, and diplomacy Delegation Delegation is assigning tasks or authority from one person or body to another. This article explains what delegation is, key elements, historical background, common uses, best prac…

Demmin (district) Demmin was a rural district in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, formed in 1994 from three older districts and abolished in the 2011 territorial reform; it included the towns…

Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918–1921) Democratic Republic of Georgia Short-lived independent Georgian republic (1918–1921) formed after the Transcaucasian Federation's collapse; Menshevik-led, based in Tbilisi, later occupied by Soviet forces and in…

Department (organizational unit in government, business, academia and retail) Department A department is a named subdivision within an organization—government, business, university, or store—grouping related functions, people, and resources. Explains types, roles, stru…

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities United Kingdom government department responsible for housing, local government and the 'levelling up' agenda in England; oversees planning, community policy and local funding.

Department of Social Security (United Kingdom) Department for Social Security Former UK government department (1988–2001) responsible for national social security policy and benefit administration, later replaced by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Department of Alto Adige — Napoleonic administrative division in northern Italy Department of Alto Adige A short encyclopedic overview of the Department of Alto Adige: its origins in the Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy, territory and administration, later evolution and relationship to mod…

Departments of Uruguay: structure, roles, and local government Departments of Uruguay Overview of Uruguay's 19 departments: their governance by elected Intendants, Departmental Councils (Juntas Departamentales), responsibilities, municipal relations and coordination…

Deportation: removal, grounds, process, and international issues Deportation Deportation is the official removal of a person from a state's territory. This article explains what deportation means, common grounds and procedures, historical and legal context,…

Deputy: role, meaning, and typical uses Deputy A deputy is an appointed second-in-command or stand-in who can perform duties and exercise authority for another person or office when absent or delegated.

Deputy National Security Advisor (United States) Deputy National Security Advisor Senior White House official who assists and deputizes for the National Security Advisor, coordinates interagency policy development, chairs the Deputies Committee, and serves as Ex…

Deputy Prime Minister Senior cabinet minister who deputizes for a prime minister; roles, appointment, powers and variations differ by constitution and political practice.

Deputy Prime Minister of Australia Second-most senior minister in the Australian government: role, duties, appointment, history and political conventions of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Second-most senior minister in New Zealand who deputises for the prime minister, often holds other portfolios, and has a role shaped by convention, coalition politics and constitut…

Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom An overview of the UK Deputy Prime Minister: its nature, appointment, history, duties, notable holders and how it differs from similar offices.

Dera Ghazi Khan Division — former administrative division of Punjab, Pakistan Dera Ghazi Khan Division Former administrative division in southwestern Punjab, Pakistan. Centered on Dera Ghazi Khan, it included Muzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Layyah districts and was abolished in the 2000…

Dera Ismail Khan Division Former administrative division in southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, containing Dera Ismail Khan and Tank districts; abolished in 2000 reforms that reorganised provincial gover…

Designated survivor (United States): continuity of government role Designated survivor A designated survivor is a Cabinet member kept at a remote secure site during major gatherings of government leaders so the presidency and federal leadership can continue if catast…

DeSoto Parish, Louisiana: History, Demographics, and Government DeSoto Parish, Louisiana DeSoto Parish, Louisiana — established 1843 with seat in Mansfield — overview of its history, population trends, communities and local government functions, from 19th-century river…

Despotism: definition, history, characteristics and modern forms Despotism Despotism is concentrated rule by one person or a small group who exercise unchecked authority. This article explains its origins, features, historical examples, distinctions and m…

Detmold Government Region (Regierungsbezirk Detmold) Detmold Government Region One of five administrative regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, covering the northeastern corner and including the city of Detmold, Bielefeld and districts such as Gütersloh…

Diarchy (Dyarchy): Shared Rule by Two Leaders — Forms, History, and Examples Diarchy Diarchy (or dyarchy) is a system in which two persons jointly hold the highest authority of a state or institution. Variants include hereditary co-monarchies, elected co-princes, r…

Dictator: definition, characteristics, history and distinctions Dictator An overview of the term dictator, its modern and historical meanings, typical features, routes to power, and how it differs from monarchs and other rulers.

Dictatorship: definition, forms, mechanisms, and historical patterns Dictatorship Overview of dictatorships: definitions, common features, how they arise and consolidate power, variations of authoritarian regimes, impacts on society, resistance and transitions,…

Diekirch District (former administrative region of Luxembourg) Diekirch District Former northernmost district of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, centered on the city of Diekirch. It was the largest district by area and was abolished as an administrative tier in…

Diet (assembly) A diet is a formal deliberative assembly historically convened by rulers or estates and today used for some national legislatures; it denotes gatherings to discuss and decide publi…

Diet of Japan: Structure, Powers, and Role in Government Diet of Japan The Diet (Kokkai) is Japan’s bicameral national legislature. It enacts laws, approves budgets and treaties, chooses the prime minister, and oversees the cabinet from the National D…

Director of Central Intelligence (United States) Director of Central Intelligence Former senior U.S. official who coordinated the American Intelligence Community and led the CIA until the position was replaced by the Director of National Intelligence in 2005.

Director of National Intelligence (United States) Director of National Intelligence Senior U.S. official who leads and coordinates the Intelligence Community, advises the President, manages national intelligence priorities and the National Intelligence Program.

Director of the Central Intelligence Agency Principal executive of the CIA who manages the agency’s intelligence activities, reports to the Director of National Intelligence, and is appointed by the President with Senate con…

Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Chief executive of the FBI: role, appointment and term, powers and limits, oversight, duties, and historical notes about the office and its place in U.S. law enforcement.

Directorate General for Civil Aviation (France) France's national civil aviation authority, responsible for aviation safety, regulation, certification, air navigation policies and international cooperation; headquartered in Pari…

Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) Directorate-General for External Security France's Directorate-General for External Security (DGSE) is the national agency responsible for collecting foreign intelligence, conducting overseas operations and supporting stat…

District health authority (NHS England and Wales, 1974–1996) District health authority Local administrative units of the NHS in England and Wales from 1974 to 1996, responsible for managing hospital and community services alongside family health service authorities.

District of Alto Adige (Cisalpine Republic, 1797–1798) District of Alto Adige Short-lived administrative district of the Department of Benaco within the Cisalpine Republic during the Napoleonic reorganization of northern Italy (1797–1798).

District of Louisiana (1804–1805) District of Louisiana Short-lived U.S. administrative unit established after the Louisiana Purchase to govern lands not included in the Territory of Orleans; reorganized as the Louisiana Territory on Ju…

Districts of Luxembourg (former top-level administrative divisions) Districts of Luxembourg Former top-level divisions of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg: three districts grouping cantons and communes, used for regional coordination and statistics until their abolition in 2…

Districts of Prussia (Kreise): administrative units of the Kingdom and Free State Districts of Prussia Subdivision of Prussia from 1815–20th century, the Kreise were county-like units between provinces and municipalities and provided a model for modern German districts.