The title of Secretary of State is commonly used throughout the world to indicate a middle or high position in government. The list of responsibilities and authority varies from country to country. In the governments of some states, not one, but several state secretaries work. In many cases, the incumbent is the head of a central agency or federal agency. In a number of countries, the state secretary is an assistant minister. But in the USA this position is one of the most important in the government.
The emergence of the title in Russia
The post of state secretary appeared during the reign of Catherine the Second. This title was awarded to the personal rapporteurs of the emperor, who had the right to appeal to him without prior permission. They were proxies of the monarch and carried out personal royal orders. If the emperor gave verbal instructions, the state secretary declared them to his retinue and courtiers.
From Alexander I to Nicholas II
From the beginning of the 19th century, this honorary title was awarded only by decision adopted directly by the monarch. Its owners were civil dignitaries of high rank. In 1810, the State Council was formed in the Russian Empire. This happened as part of a liberal government reform program. It functioned as the country's highest law enforcement agency.
The advisory body consisted of a special state secretary. This was an official whose duties included accepting petitions and complaints addressed to the emperor. He was the most influential person in the Council of State, because he determined the range of issues related to the competence of this institution. The state secretary had at his disposal assistants appointed on the personal recommendation of the monarch. Their duty was to monitor the activities of departments of the State Council.
Management of Finland
Not all parts of the Russian Empire had the same status. Finland was part of it, while maintaining a certain level of local autonomy. There was a separate department for managing territory with a special status. He was headed by a state secretary appointed by imperial order. In most cases, those serving in this position were of Finnish descent. The government official who held this post transmitted his reports and reports directly to the emperor. The official residence of the Secretary of State for Finland was in St. Petersburg.
Who held this position in the Russian Empire
As a rule, ministers who enjoyed the exclusive trust of the monarch received this title. In accordance with a law promulgated in 1842, the title of Secretary of State made the position of its holder higher than that of other officials of his rank. Usually this title was not received by public servants who held a post below the ministerial. In 1900, the total number of state secretaries in the empire totaled 27 people. By decree of the king, a special badge was created for the owners of this title.
In Russian federation
The current definition of this position is very different from the pre-revolutionary. In today's Russia, they are called the state secretary of the deputy minister. He is involved in the coordination of legislative work. The duties of the Secretary of State also include liaising with a number of state and public bodies. The post was established by government regulation in 1994.
In the United States of America
The official name of the US Secretary of Foreign Affairs is literally translated from English as "Secretary of State." He is the head of the foreign policy department and has more authority than colleagues from other countries. The Minister of Foreign Affairs is third in the hierarchy of power. His candidacy is elected by the president and approved by the Senate.
In Great Britain
In the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State is a cabinet member who is at the head of a government department and is responsible for his work. British law provides for the existence of only one such post in the structure of state power. However, in practice in the United Kingdom there are a number of state secretaries supervising the activities of various ministries.
In the Vatican
Under the Holy See, the Secretary of State is the highest administrative position that can only be held by the cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He is responsible for the political and diplomatic activities of the Vatican. The Secretary of State of the Holy See can be seen as the prime minister of this sovereign city-state. The candidacy for this post is directly elected by the pontiff. The service of the State Secretary of the Vatican ends after the death or abdication of the Pope and the beginning of the "vacant throne" period.