Introduction
Leadership has the capacity for both evil and good. Sound leadership results in freedom and productivity, while poor governance often results in a dictatorship, poverty, corruption, and all vices. This essay briefly highlights a few differences between an Egyptian Pharaoh and the American Presidential system. The comparisons go some way into helping discern which of the two leadership styles would result in better governance. The Pharaoh in ancient Egypt and today’s American President both wield immense power, but I prefer to be an American President rather than an Egyptian Pharaoh.
Discussion
An individual became an Egyptian Pharaoh because they shared the same bloodline as a king or a queen; hence, it was a hereditary system in many instances. Pharaohs became leaders of the nation by birth and attained higher positions. On the other hand, one becomes an American president through the electoral system. Firstly, one has to be a fourteen-year resident, a natural-born citizen, and at least 35 years old. The candidate then undergoes an election process where the winner must beat the competitors from various political parties by at least 270 Electoral College votes out of the 538 Electoral College votes. The inauguration for the new President occurs on January 20th, unlike the Egyptian system, where one could become king at any time. Moreover, one could become a Pharaoh at any age, even below 35 years. A US president serves a 4-year term, after which s/he seeks a fresh mandate from the public through elections for a maximum of two periods, while a Pharaoh was king for life.
The Pharaohs in Egypt were responsible for establishing and enforcing all laws governing the territory. They were the supreme commanders of the Egyptian military and answered no one. Secondly, Pharaohs held the title ‘Lord of the Two Lands.’ The title came with added duties of commanding the army and resolving legal disputes. Their task was to unite Lower and Upper Egypt under one monarchy. Thirdly, the Pharaohs symbolized the fathers of the land as they ensured citizens had abundant food through their ‘limitless’ power. On the other hand, the US president is the chief executive who grants reprieves and pardons, appoints critical federal officials, and executes the laws. Secondly, as the Commander-in-Chief, s/he runs the Unites States military. The President is also the chief legislator who works with Congress on budgets, introduces legislation, and vetoes or signs laws.
The Egyptian Pharaoh was the people’s religious leader, considered the divine intercessor between the people and the gods; thus, he participated in ceremonies and maintained religious harmony in the territory. The Pharaoh was each temple’s high priest in Egypt and was the earthly representative of the Egyptian gods. On the other hand, US Presidents are not heads of religion for the people. The Bill of Rights prohibits Congress from making legislations that respect the establishment of religion, hence signaling a separation between Church and State. The US is a republic where the Church and State manage their affairs without interfering. The President is the head of State and does not meddle in Church/ religious affairs.
Conclusion
The Egyptian Pharaoh and the American President both wielded great power, played critical roles in legislation, could pardon, and controlled their militaries. However, I prefer to be an American President rather than an Egyptian Pharaoh. Firstly, the Egyptian system had no checks and balances, and the king ruled, even if they were too young to understand how to rule the country. On the other hand, the electorate checks American Presidents and votes them out if they underperform or misuse their office. There is also a provision for impeaching a sitting president due to misconduct. The separation of Church and State affairs also allows the US President to focus on enhancing the people’s lives while protecting the US citizens’ rights to freedom of worship. The American President has advisers who help make sound decisions rather than acting on self-deceived impulses as the god-like Pharaohs did.