Grenada is a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy, operating on the Westminster model inherited from Britain.
Head of state and head of government
- Head of state — the British monarch, represented in the country by a Governor-General who performs ceremonial and constitutional functions
- Head of government — the Prime Minister, leader of the party commanding a majority in the elected chamber
- Cabinet — ministers appointed from the legislature, collectively responsible for government
The Governor-General's role is largely formal but constitutionally significant at moments of transition, such as appointing a prime minister after an election.
Parliament
- House of Representatives — directly elected from single-member constituencies, on a first-past-the-post system
- Senate — appointed rather than elected, with members nominated by government, opposition and interest groups
The first-past-the-post system in a country this size produces a notable effect: results can be extremely lopsided, with one party occasionally taking every seat while receiving well under all the votes.
The judiciary
The legal system is based on English common law. Grenada participates in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court, a shared court serving several small states — an arrangement that gives a small country access to a professional judiciary it could not sustain alone.
Final appeals go to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, a legacy arrangement retained by several Caribbean states.
Local administration
The country is divided into parishes, with a dependency covering the sister islands. Carriacou and Petite Martinique have a distinct administrative arrangement recognising their separate circumstances.
Shared institutions
Small size makes pooling essential, and Grenada shares several institutions with its neighbours:
- A common currency and central bank with other Eastern Caribbean states
- A shared supreme court
- Joint diplomatic and regulatory arrangements through the OECS
- Regional cooperation through CARICOM on trade and free movement of certain categories of people
This pooling is one of the defining features of governance in the Eastern Caribbean: functions too large for one small state are exercised collectively, which gives citizens institutions of a quality a country of this population could not otherwise support.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the head of state?
The British monarch, represented locally by a Governor-General with largely formal but constitutionally significant functions.
Is the Senate elected?
No — it is appointed, with members nominated by government, opposition and interest groups.
Where do final appeals go?
To the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London, a legacy arrangement retained by several Caribbean states.
Why are institutions shared regionally?
Because pooling gives small states institutions — a central bank, a supreme court — that no single one could sustain alone.
Need a tailored roadmap?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What about History and governance in Grenada?
The article covers history and governance in Grenada.
How does this relate to the Grenada guide?
The article links the Grenada guide to history and governance.
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