History Main / JusttheFirstCitizen

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*** Which made an almost century-long hook to bite his son with all kinds of butt jokes when said son landed in a scandal being seen and pictured in company of women, the kind you can guess.

* In AtlasShrugged, the top U.S. governmental position is "Head of State," and its occupant is always referred to simply as "Mr. Thompson"; unimpressive titles both. It's a matter of speculation exactly why the United States no longer has a president in this AlternateHistory (have they formally abolished the US Constitution?); though Rand said that she wanted characters like Mr. Thompson to seem like mediocrities, and calling him "the President" would have given him a dignity he wasn't supposed to have.

* The original [[UsefulNotes/{{Islam}} Muslim]] state, the Caliphate, was one of these: "Caliph" comes from the Arabic word "''Khalifah''", which is Arabic for "successor" (to the Prophet, Peace Be Upon Him, that is). Ruling an empire that stretched from Spain to Central Asia, the Caliph was constantly reminded that he was just a half-decent replacement for the plain illiterate orphan, Peace Be Upon Him, who had founded the religion.

* Muammar al-Gaddafi has not held any formal position of power since resigning as prime minister of Libya in 1972 -- however, he is still dictator and is often referred to as "Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya" or "Brotherly Leader and Guide of the Revolution."

Also, it's a perfect way to escape responsibility. You don't ''rule'' anything, after all; you're [[TitleDrop just the First Citizen]]. It can also demonstrate how well you've [[BlatantLies stayed attuned to the common people and their needs]].

* In ''VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'', Nines Rodriguez is very insistent that he is not a leader of the Anarchs, but just a soldier that's survived longer than any other (given that the anarchs are, well, ''[[Usefulnotes/{{Anarchism}} anarchists]]'', pretending otherwise would be very hypocritical). Despite this, he's obviously the de facto leader of the Anarchs in downtown L.A., since they all look to him for leadership and follow his advice.

* In ''VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'', Nines Rodriguez is very insistent that he is not a leader of the Anarchs, but just a soldier that's survived longer than any other. Despite this, he's obviously the de facto leader of the Anarchs in downtown L.A., since they all look to him for leadership and follow his advice.

* In VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines, Nines Rodriguez an anarch who is very insistent that he is not a leader, but just a soldier that's survived longer than any other. Despite this, he's obviously the de facto leader of the anarchs in downtown L.A. since they all look to him for leadership and follow his advice.

** TruthInTelevision: ''Colonel'' Gadaffi, the dictator of Libya could presumably become a general any time he wanted. Who would stop him?
*** Not to mention the recent dictator of Guinea, ''Captain'' Moussa Dadis Camara. And that's an ''army'' captain, not a naval one.

* In [[TheWizardOfOz Tik-Tok of Oz]], there is a land where everyone is a king or queen ''except'' that the guy with the position of ruling over all these kings and queens is "the Private Citizen." Even he gets a fancy title, namely "the Great Jinjin," but his subordinates still get to have the regal titles that the Private Citizen doesn't.

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* [[ColonelBadass Colonel]] Santiago from ''SidMeiersAlphaCentauri'', leader of the CrazyPrepared Spartan Federation. Other examples include Chairman Yang, Commissioner Lal, [[ChurchMilitant Sister]] Miriam, [[{{Pirates}} Captain]] Svensgard, [[OneNationUnderCopyright CEO]] Morgan, [[MadScientist Provost]] Zakharov, Foreman Domai... Big-shot titles are more of an exception than the norm, even by the leaders of the alien factions, who simply use Caretaker and Usurper, both of which are derived from the name of their factions.

** Lular H'minee's title is Guardian, not Caretaker. Judaa Maar's title is Conqueror. The quotes don't always give the correct in-game titles.

TruthInTelevision. Indeed, perhaps more common in RealLife than fiction.

** [[MemeticMutation It definitely cannot now.]]

See also "ModestRoyalty"; he is prone to be the rare villainous example of this, as well.

Contrast "RoyalMess". Often found ruling a [=~People's Republic Of Tyranny~=].

*** Although Mussolini (as is often forgotten) was merely a Prime Ministerial figure and (unlike Hitler) was never head of state in Italy, that being King Victor Emmanuel II. Mussolini was only ever head of state of the short-lived Nazi puppet regime the 'Italian Social Republic' following his ousting from power in most of Italy.

Also, it's a perfect way to escape responsibility. You don't ''rule'' anything, after all. Also it emphasizes how you've [[BlatantLies stayed attuned to the common people and their needs]].