Staatsorgane

Staatsorgane, or organs of the state, are the institutions through which a state exercises its sovereign powers. They derive their authority from the constitution and operate under the principle of Gewaltenteilung, the separation of powers. The concept emphasizes that power is exercised through clearly demarcated organs rather than through a single center.

The most common division distinguishes three broad types: legislative organs (gesetzgebende Gewalt), executive organs (ausführende Gewalt) and judicial organs (rechtsprechende Gewalt). Legislative bodies enact laws, oversee government work, and represent the people; executive bodies implement laws, manage administration, and conduct foreign policy; judicial bodies interpret laws and settle disputes, ensuring constitutional compliance and protection of rights.

In many constitutions, certain organs are designated as Verfassungsorgane—constitutional organs with special status and duties to safeguard the constitutional order. Typical verfassungsorgane include the parliament, the government, the head of state, and the constitutional court. For example, in Germany the system includes the Bundestag and Bundesrat as legislative bodies, the Bundesregierung as the executive, the Bundespräsident as the head of state, and the Bundesverfassungsgericht as the Constitutional Court.

The precise composition and scope of Staatsorgane vary by country, but the overarching aim is to distribute power to prevent tyranny and to provide checks and balances. Staatsorgane may also include regional or local organs depending on the constitutional structure.