ABSTRACT
In the United States, the head of state is the president. In the United King-dom, the head of state is the monarch. Both fulfill certain formal dutiesassociated with the position. Beyond that there is little similarity between the two. In terms of history, determination of incumbency, powers, and current responsibilities, the U.S. presidency and the British monarchy have virtually nothing in common. The president is both head of state and political head of the administration. He operates directly and personally at the heart of the political decision-making process. The monarch, as head of state, stands above political decision making. In political terms, he or she serves not to decide but primarily to perform a symbolic role. The president serves by virtue of election; the monarch reigns by virtue of birth.
