Well, a lot depends on the nature of said system and the POD.
Assuming an evolution from the modern from, rather than intervening revolutions:
Secretary General has a lot to recommend it, I think. It is only associated with the UN and doesn't sound like a ruler.
Wasn't that Stalin's proper title?
And the other leaders of the Soviet Union...
I'm simply contemplating a variety of scenaros, and trying to come up with possible titles. Preferably titles that will offend as few people as possible, since any sort of world government will be an uphill struggle to get accepted short of using force of arms. Definately do not want something that spounds either militaristic or corporate.
Chancellor, Prime Minister, and President are the first ones that some to mind for me. Chief Executive sounds too corporate, and also says, "I'm in charge" too blatently. Comissioner and Speaker also sound promising...though Chancellor is my favorite so far.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Sovet Union, Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars (often referred to as Premier) and Generalissimo of the Soviet Union.He was General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, I believe. He also probably had a number of other titles (Chairman of the Politburo, for example), but I'm not sure.
Nevertheless, it's not too terribly different from Secretary - General. Still, it sounds more innocuous to me.
I'm trying to think of some decent titles for a leader of a world government, to take power sometime between the mid 20th century and late 21st century. What do people think would be a suitable title for the head of the World (or even system) government?
If you prefer academic rule (hey, it's not appreciably any more ASB then the others) - Chancellor, Arch Dean, President.