Ideal age for an elected head of state (executive)

[Pasong Tirad]

Whatever my age is at the moment. It's about time I ruled.

[PhilTech]

Whatever my age is at the moment. It's about time I ruled.

You'll age quickly than your current age should if that happens

[Nevertopia]

whoever is most qualified.

[The Archregimancy]

Head of state or head of government?

Because I'm willing to set a higher ideal age for an elected ceremonial head of state than I might for an elected executive head of government.

Why does being grey and wrinkled give dignity?

I wasn't suggesting it did - though the Queen seems to have perfected the art - I was instead suggesting that since a ceremonial head of state has no executive function, it doesn't matter as much how old they are; an executive head of government, however, ideally needs to be a little bit more energetic.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

Why does being grey and wrinkled give dignity?

I wasn't suggesting it did - though the Queen seems to have perfected the art - I was instead suggesting that since a ceremonial head of state has no executive function, it doesn't matter as much how old they are; an executive head of government, however, ideally needs to be a little bit more energetic.

I was thinking of the executive role. I feel the UK could probably get on fine with an 8 year old ceremonial head of state.

[Ethel mermania]

30 to 70. You want people who have lived long enough to have a range of experiences, and have had time for those experiences to sink in -- but still young enough to be mentally sharp. There'll always be some individual variation in how long it takes for people to grow up and catch a clue, and how well their mental faculties hold up as they age, but I think 30 to 70 is about right for most people.

10:30 am - noon is mandatory milk and cookies and a nap

I support this policy. With fruit drinks available for those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergy.

Agreed, welcome aboard the team.

[Ethel mermania]

Why does being grey and wrinkled give dignity?

I wasn't suggesting it did - though the Queen seems to have perfected the art - I was instead suggesting that since a ceremonial head of state has no executive function, it doesn't matter as much how old they are; an executive head of government, however, ideally needs to be a little bit more energetic.

Oh sure, have a perfectly rational reason when I am going for a, mediocre at best, joke.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

I must admit I find it hard to take Justin Trudeau seriously, so young and such shiny suits.

[Afrikan Staat]

40-50. Plenty enough time to both complete a cursus honorum and build an strong national base to actually effectively govern. For a real world comparison, 45 is also the average age of a startup founder.

[Comfed]

I must admit I find it hard to take Justin Trudeau seriously, so young and such shiny suits.

He’s 50, though

[Kannap]

18-23

We gave the old people their chance, they fucked everything up, give the young folks a shot.

[Luziyca]

Someone with enough experience in politics to properly represent their country, but young enough to be sharp and willing to adapt with the times. However, my answer depends on how powerful the head of state is: if it's an all encompassing dictator, I'd probably go with someone between 30 and 50, but if it is your generic politician from a parliamentary republic, then anyone between 30 and 75 can do, with maybe a few case-by-case exceptions if someone has a lot of experience but is young, or if someone is still sharp in their 100s, like Hazel McCallion.

[Heloin]

Older than 30 probably, younger than 60 probably. With some wiggle room probably.

[Orlesian States]

I think you could have a younger elected Head of State, if they were groomed for the role since birth. Training, coordination, advisors and perhaps the parents assisting them in daily tasks that could help them once they become the Head of State, of course, the parents of said child would need to be adequately knowledgeable to even assist in such matters.

In such a case, when the time eventually comes, they would be both learned and energized, ready to rule the country as a whole.

[Heloin]

I think you could have a younger elected Head of State, if they were groomed for the role since birth. Training, coordination, advisors and perhaps the parents assisting them in daily tasks that could help them once they become the Head of State, of course, the parents of said child would need to be adequately knowledgeable to even assist in such matters.

In such a case, when the time eventually comes, they would be both learned and energized, ready to rule the country as a whole.

No you wouldn't. You'd end up with a socially maladjusted freak who either has no interest in ruling or has become utterly delusional and thinks they are the only person who should make any decisions.

[Orlesian States]

I think you could have a younger elected Head of State, if they were groomed for the role since birth. Training, coordination, advisors and perhaps the parents assisting them in daily tasks that could help them once they become the Head of State, of course, the parents of said child would need to be adequately knowledgeable to even assist in such matters.

In such a case, when the time eventually comes, they would be both learned and energized, ready to rule the country as a whole.

No you wouldn't. You'd end up with a socially maladjusted freak who either has no interest in ruling or has become utterly delusional and thinks they are the only person who should make any decisions.

That's quite specific. In many instances, a ruler was groomed for ruling and didn't end up a socially deranged manchild, or someone who would be delirious enough to think they are the only capable option in all instances. But perhaps I was giving my thoughts in the light of times before modern politics. Maybe in more modern times, grooming for rule would be considerably less effective.

But do not think of me ignorant, or be too harsh, I was simply stating my thoughts on the matter, thank you for your input. : )

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

I must admit I find it hard to take Justin Trudeau seriously, so young and such shiny suits.

He’s 50, though

Really? I've fallen for the aren't policemen looking younger thing.

[Heloin]

No you wouldn't. You'd end up with a socially maladjusted freak who either has no interest in ruling or has become utterly delusional and thinks they are the only person who should make any decisions.

That's quite specific. In many instances, a ruler was groomed for ruling and didn't end up a socially deranged manchild, or someone who would be delirious enough to think they are the only capable option in all instances.

Well no, never actually. At best you get someone who is overly self important, at worst you get someone who brings down a whole country through incompetence. Sometimes you get someone who is utterly useless and the only reason the house of cards doesn't tumble is the bureaucracy of the system happily made the ruler obsolete, which also solves the need to have the rare "good" ruler to fix the messes caused by everyone else.

But perhaps I was giving my thoughts in the light of times before modern politics. Maybe in more modern times, grooming for rule would be considerably less effective.

There is no magical moment in the past when this idea wasn't anything more then the centralization of power for a single person and family. The system isn't designed to make good leaders, that's just propaganda, the system is designed to keep the power in one place.

But do not think of me ignorant, or be too harsh, I was simply stating my thoughts on the matter, thank you for your input. : )

I've not called you anything nor have I cared to judge you personally, your idea is just bad both with and without historical context

[NEON Cactus Kid]

I think that 40-50 would be ideal. By this time they would have accumulated a decent amount of life experience, have sharper perspectives, and since they are middle-aged, they would probably be able to relate to all age groups.

[Diuhon]

irrelevant

as long as the guy still has it mentally, it really doesn't matter whether they're 20 or a hundred

[Ever Victorious Iron Willed Commanders]

At least 85

[Risottia]

60 at least.
And possibly with a 10-year experience, at least, in the government - as MP, mayor of a big city, president of a large administrative subdivision, minister... something big. Experience matters a lot.

[PhilTech]

40s is good enough. 50s and 60s is much better. 70s, maybe and probably the best, but the issue is that they may have this...how would I say this..."No Country for Old Men" Syndrome.

[Nimzonia]

Between 30 and 50. Not too inexperienced, not too out of touch.

[Allinburg]

Since this concerns a "head of state" and not a "head of government", I'd wager on the mid-30s to early-70s as realistic minimum and maximum respectively.

Strictly speaking, heads of state are usually nothing more than steady, ceremonial figureheads of a nation, appearing for the occasional "moments important enough for national celebration" or signing of an international treaty.

In an ideal world, anyone above the age of majority with stable health (in all facets), experience & healthy patriotic + people-oriented mindset would be enough for either head of state or government (or both).