What Are Tertiary Systems in Government?
Primary systems of government are those which carry out legislative, executive, and judicial functions for a nation as a whole. Secondary systems of government carry out those functions for the largest legal subdivisions of the nation. Secondary systems of government in the United States would be the state governments. Tertiary systems are those levels of government immediately below the state or province level. In the United States this is usually the county-level of government.
Other People Are Reading
-
Responsibilities of Tertiary Government
-
Historically, county governments have been responsible for such local concerns as the assessment of property, recording of vital statistics and property ownership, rural road maintenance, and local law enforcement and judicial functions. Modern county governments may also be responsible for social services, libraries, public health, planning and zoning, parks, water quality and waste management. The administration of elementary and secondary education is usually based at the county-level as well, though the rules and guidelines for education are developed at the state-level.
Legislative Structure
-
The actual structure of the tertiary government varies considerably from nation to nation and from state to state, and sometimes even within the state. Typically the legislative function at the tertiary level is carried out by an elected commission or council, but the method of electing the commission varies. In many cases, each member of the commission represents and is elected by a district within the county. In other counties, especially those with small populations, the members may be elected at-large, and some counties elect a combination of district and at-large commissioners.
-
Executive and Judicial Structure
-
The executive function is typically carried out by a county administrator or executive, though in a few cases the county commission acts as an executive body -- as well as a legislative body. In some cases -- the administrator is elected -- while elsewhere, he may be appointed by the commission, and his independence and authority vary considerably. An elected sheriff, and district attorneys and judges who may be appointed or elected, usually carry out the law enforcement and judicial functions at this level of government. Other minor officials may be elected or appointed to supervise specific functions.
Departments
-
The administration of many of the functions at the tertiary level is often carried out by departments, or some other form of administrative office. Generally, these departments are set-up to make the county government work more efficiently. One department may be in charge of planning and public works, while another may be in charge of finance, and others may be responsible for parks and recreation or human services. The authority and method of choosing the people in charge of these departments varies widely.
-
References
- Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
